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Chinese Porcelain Vases

Porcelain vases were originally created for their rigid and translucent quality. Throughout thousands of years of their making in China, shapes and uses for porcelain vases have evolved. During the Song Dynasty, for example, the "plum" vase was popular, named as so because it was used to hold plum branches.

Double-gourd vases were also made during this period. Later, porcelain vases made in the Yuan Dynasty included the beaker-shaped vase and the garlic-head-shaped vase. Globular vases were popular in the Ming Dynasty, and conjoined vases in the Qianlong period.

Qing-hua blue and white painting is the most well-known variety of porcelain vase decorating. Cinnabar porcelain vases are reddish-brown owing to the presence of mercury in the glaze. During the Qing dynasty, porcelain vases were also glazed in pink, purple, yellow, green, and black.


Quick Facts

  • At first, during the Song and Yuan dynasties, blue was the only color that was able to survive the high heat required to fire a porcelain vase
  • The cong style vase, with it’s rectangular shape, originated in Neolithic China. First crafted from jade, this was traditionally a ritual vessel
  • Cinnabar porcelain vases are created not from a glaze but rather from a ground red mercury sulphide mixed with lacquer, a natural form of resin

Recommended Items at Auction

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Chinese Famille Rose Vase, Signed on the Underside
Jul 12, 11:00 AM CDT
Chinese Famille Rose Vase, Signed on the Underside
by Direct Auction Galleries, Inc.
Est: $200- $300
$805 Bids
A pair of Chinese robin egg blue crackle glazed porcelain vases
Jul 17, 10:00 AM PDT
A pair of Chinese robin egg blue crackle glazed porcelain vases
by Andrew Jones Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$4003 Bids
A FAMILLE-ROSE CRANE AND DEER VASE
Jul 12, 3:00 PM PDT
A FAMILLE-ROSE CRANE AND DEER VASE
by Mega International Auction
Est: $2,000- $3,000
$1,2003 Bids
2 Chinese Porcelain Items
Jul 13, 11:00 AM AEST
2 Chinese Porcelain Items
by Davidson Auctions
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD1203 Bids
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Signed Chinese Porcelain Hand Painted Vase
Jul 17, 10:00 AM EDT
Signed Chinese Porcelain Hand Painted Vase
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$12 Bids
A RUBY-GROUND FALANGCAI FLORAL VASE
Jul 12, 3:00 PM PDT
A RUBY-GROUND FALANGCAI FLORAL VASE
by Mega International Auction
Est: $1,400- $1,600
$8002 Bids
Chinese Qing Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Vase
Jul 13, 11:00 AM AEST
Chinese Qing Dynasty Blue & White Porcelain Vase
by Davidson Auctions
Est: AUD150- AUD300
AUD1102 Bids
Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Decorated Porcelain Vases, H: 18 in. (45.7 cm.)
Jul 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Pair of Chinese Famille Rose Decorated Porcelain Vases, H: 18 in. (45.7 cm.)
by Weschler's
Est: $50- $100
$302 Bids
Four Chinese Monochrome Porcelain Vases, H of Tallest: 15 in. (38.1 cm.)
Jul 15, 10:00 AM EDT
Four Chinese Monochrome Porcelain Vases, H of Tallest: 15 in. (38.1 cm.)
by Weschler's
Est: $40- $60
$252 Bids
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Estate Chinese Export Porcelain Vase
Jul 26, 11:00 AM PDT
Estate Chinese Export Porcelain Vase
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $100
$301 Bid
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Chinese Red Glazed Porcelain Vase
Jul 26, 11:00 AM PDT
Chinese Red Glazed Porcelain Vase
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $100
$201 Bid
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Pair Chinese Export Porcelain Vases
Jul 25, 11:00 AM PDT
Pair Chinese Export Porcelain Vases
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $100- $200
$501 Bid
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Chinese Export Porcelain Dragon Vase
Jul 25, 11:00 AM PDT
Chinese Export Porcelain Dragon Vase
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $100- $200
$301 Bid
Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase
Jul 18, 11:00 AM EDT
Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Vase
by Neue Auctions
Est: $150- $300
$501 Bid
Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase
Jul 17, 10:00 AM EDT
Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase
by Nye & Company
Est: $20- $50
$101 Bid
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Chinese Export Porcelain Writing Wares
Jul 25, 11:00 AM PDT
Chinese Export Porcelain Writing Wares
by Wealthier Art & Auction
Est: $50- $100
$201 Bid
Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase
Jul 15, 9:00 AM EDT
Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase
by Montgomery Auction
Est: $200- $300
$401 Bid
A pair of Chinese Famille Noire parcel gilt bottle vases
Jul 17, 10:00 AM PDT
A pair of Chinese Famille Noire parcel gilt bottle vases
by Andrew Jones Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1401 Bid
A Chinese Large Famille Rose 'Pheasant and Peony' Vase, 20th Century
Jul 20, 10:00 AM EDT
A Chinese Large Famille Rose 'Pheasant and Peony' Vase, 20th Century
by Topwells
Est: $600- $800
$2001 Bid
Two Chinese blue and white glazed porcelain vases
Jul 17, 10:00 AM PDT
Two Chinese blue and white glazed porcelain vases
by Andrew Jones Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1401 Bid
A dragon and phoenix patterned doucai porcelain vase,Qing Dynasty,China
Jul 13, 7:00 PM EDT
A dragon and phoenix patterned doucai porcelain vase,Qing Dynasty,China
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $800- $1,000
$2001 Bid
A famille rose figure porcelain gourd shaped vase,Qing Dynasty,China
Jul 13, 7:00 PM EDT
A famille rose figure porcelain gourd shaped vase,Qing Dynasty,China
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $600- $800
$2001 Bid
An enamel landscape and figure porcelain vase,Qing Dynasty,China
Jul 13, 7:00 PM EDT
An enamel landscape and figure porcelain vase,Qing Dynasty,China
by Hotspot Auctions
Est: $1,500- $2,000
$2001 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Chinese Porcelain Vases


Jade Auction House

Jade Auction House

William's Auctions, LLC

William's Auctions, LLC

Wealthier Art & Auction

Wealthier Art & Auction

Mega International Auction

Mega International Auction