Antique Butterflies

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain

Antique Butterflies Admin — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 07:25:43 +0000

The first Chinese blue and white wares were produced as early as the seventh century in Henan province, China during the Tang dynasty, although only shards have been discovered. Tang period blue-and-white is more rare than Song blue-and-white and was unknown before 1985. The Tang pieces are not porcelain however, but rather earthenwares with greenish white slip, using cobalt blue pigments. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of antique Chinese blue and white porcelain including a Kangxi pot and a fine porcelain snuff bottle.

Chinese Blue and White Kangxi Pot and Cover,
1662-1722,
squat bulbous shape with metal handles and finial, underglaze decorated with a mountainous landscape with figures on one side, the reverse with a flower garden with insects, approx. overall dia. 8 3/4, ht. 8 1/4 in.

Sold for Sold for US$6,400 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2023

CHINESE BLUE AND WHITE PORCELAIN YUHUCHUNPIN VASE, the body with raised decoration depicting sprays of flora and butterflies, the neck with a band of blue and white foliate decoration, six-character mark to base, 30cm high.

Sold for US$300 at Royal Sea LLC in 2023

FINE CHINESE BLUE WHITE ENAMEL SNUFF BOTTLE POEM QIANLONG MARK

This blue and white bottle is finely enameled and features a floral scene with a butterfly on one side and a poem on the other. There are also fine gilding touches. It bears the Qianlong mark and is 2.8 inches tall.

Sold for US$120 at Noble House Collection Gallery in 2023

A Chinese blue and white jar, Kangxi (1662-1722), of ovoid form, painted with precious objects, butterflies and flowers in shaped panels, 26cm high Condition Report: Signs of glue to rim.

Sold for £820 at Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers in 2023

Blue And White Butterfly Pattern Holding Box, Kangxi Mark

Sold for CA$250 at Arnaud’s Auctions and Appraisals LIMITED in 2023

Rare Chinese Blue & White Porcelain Vase

Of tall baluster form, the exterior painted with birds, butterflies and gnarled tree branches, the bottom inscribed with six-character mark. Approx. 12.4-7 inch.

Sold for US$3,250 at Wealthier Art & Auction in 2023

Chinese blue and white bird and flower jar, of ovoid form, decorated with a pair of bulbuls perched in a peony bush with rockwork to the side and butterflies floating above, having no apparent mark.

Approximate dimensions: h. 11″, dia. 7″.

Sold for US$450 at Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery in 2023

A Pair of Large Chinese Porcelain Blue and White Table Lamps

contemporary, large ginger jars painted with birds, flowers and butterflies in blue, drilled and set into wood mounts as lamps with single lightbulb fixture, fabric lampshades, and decorative porcelain disc finials with blue landscape scene, label stickers remain to body of lamps.

Sold for US$375 at Leland Little in 2023

Blue and white vase with butterfly pattern of the Qing Dynasty

Sold for US$3,750 at YaShawn Auction House in 2023

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Gilding

Antique Butterflies Admin — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 10:29:18 +0000

Gilding is the process of applying a thin layer of gold-leaf or gold-colored finish to an item although it is also a term which can apply to other metal leaf such as silver.

Below are some examples and price guides of antique items which have gilding and butterflies in their design including a Worcester inkstand and a Meissen cup and saucer.

A Flight, Barr and Barr Worcester inkstand and two covers, circa 1825-30
The gadroon-edged tray raised on four scroll-moulded feet and inset with two pen trays flanking a pair of fixed, urn-shaped inkwells and covers either side of a handle embossed with a female mask, painted on a vibrant turquoise ground with ‘Fancy Birds’ on stems of colourful flowers, butterflies and scattered flowers and berries, the rims brightly gilded, 27.3cm wide, script mark referring to Coventry St address

Sold for £701.25 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021

A LARGE YELLOW-GROUND FAMILLE ROSE AND GILT-DECORATED ‘BUTTERFLY’ DISH
CHINA, QING DYNASTY, GUANGXU SIX-CHARACTER MARK IN IRON-RED AND OF THE PERIOD (1875-1908)

Sold for EUR 9,375 at Christie’s in 2021

Meissen Porcelain Two-Handled Chinoiserie Beaker and a Saucer
Circa 1730, blue crossed swords marks and gilder’s 3. or 5., both painted in the manner of J.G. Höroldt
The tapering conical beaker flanked by gilt wishbone handles, finely painted with either a Chinese figure seated at a table before a palm tree or with figures pursuing butterflies, the saucer with two figure preparing and serving tea, each within an ombrierte quatrefoil shaped panel edged by a Böttger-lustre and a gilt cartouche, trimmed with iron-red scrollwork, the border with Laub-und-Bandelwerk and gilt line rims, the underside with iron-red flower sprays.
Height 3 1/8 inches, width overall 5 1/2 inches.

Sold for $3,150 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2021

A VICTORIAN SILVER-GILT AND PORCELAIN SCENT FLASK
by Samuel Mordan & Co, London 1892, the globular body enamelled and gilded with floral sprays and butterflies, the hinged gilt cover opening with a push button and fitted with a suspension ring. 7.5cm by 6cm

Sold for £480 at Elstob Auctioneers in 2023

In the Qing Dynasty, silver gilded hairpin with jade flower and butterfly pattern

Sold for US$1,000 at SVETHRS Auction LLC in 2023

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Polychrome

Antique Butterflies Admin — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 11:11:31 +0000

Polychrome is a word used to describe objects which are painted, printed or decorated in a variety of colors as opposed to monochrome decoration.

Below are some examples and price guides of polychrome antiques decorated with butterflies including a Bristol glass vase and a Qianlong snuff bottle.

Bristol Glass Hand Painted Vase,
England, 19th century,
light grey ground with polychrome enamel decorated birds, butterflies and flowers, ht. 16 1/4 in.

Sold for Sold for US$204 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

Set of Eight Edward F. Bodley Aesthetic Movement Gilt and Polychrome Decorated Porcelain Dessert Plates
Circa 1880-90
In the Japanesque style, variously decorated with flowers and butterflies in flight, against an ivory colored ground.
Diameter 9 1/4 inches.

Sold for $756 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2022

A RARE ‘TWO BOY’ QIANLONG SNUFF BOTTLE
Chinese, Qing Dynasty, polychrome enameled porcelain. In the figural form of two young boys climbing a vine wrapped boulder above a butterfly, the underside having an iron red, four-character Qianlong reign mark to underside.
Bottle: 1 7/8 in. (4.76 cm.)
35 grams

Sold for US$100 at Selkirk Auctioneers & Appraisers in 2023

An antique Japanese Meiji Era brass and enamel vase. Circa: early 20th century. The baluster form vase is enameled with polychrome images of blossoming flowers and plants, and butterflies made in the Cloisonne technique on a black ground. Marked with an impressed stamp with Hieroglyphs on the bottom.

Sold for US$200 at Antique Arena Inc. in 2023

Antique Chinese porcelain planter decorated with polychrome enameled depictions of butterflies among flowers over a peach toned ground, completed by light blue and pink arch patterns in a band around the rim and foot.
Red character markings at the underside.
CIRCA: Early to Mid 20th Century
ORIGIN: China
DIMENSIONS: H: 11.75″ D: 14.5″

Sold for US$650 at Akiba Galleries in 2022

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Ceramic

Antique Butterflies Admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 10:52:28 +0000

The term ceramic refers to items made of clay which are hardened by heat. There are three types of ceramics and fall under the names of porcelain, earthenware and stoneware. Ceramics have been used for at least 26,000 years and, surprisingly, the earliest examples found are those of figurines rather than pots. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of ceramic antiques including a Majolica butterfly and orchid dressing table tray and a Doulton Lambeth stoneware oil lamp.

George Jones Majolica Butterfly and Orchid Dressing Table Oval Tray
Circa 1874
Impressed GJ monogram mark, B6 and 6 raised registry diamond (18-U-A-8) for 18 December 1874, black painted x
Naturalistically molded with two outstretched swallowtail butterflies and flowering white orchids. Length 11 inches.

Part of an eight-piece dressing table set.

Sold for $4,095 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2021

20th Century Chinese ceramic vase in with a textured / sgraffito periwinkle blue with butterfly and floral details, marked Made in China on bottom, measures 8 1/8 inches high.

Sold for US$475 at Blackwell Auctions in 2022

Purple Clay Handled Pot with Golden Flowers and Butterflies Design.
Dimensions
9 x 15 cm

Sold for US$1,600 at Top Notch Collections in 2022

Doulton Lambeth Mark V Marshall Stoneware Oil Lamp

Antique 19th century ceramic relief body decorated with owls and butterflies mounted on metal stand.
Doulton Lambeth marks, artist’s monograms.

Sold for US$600 at Lion and Unicorn in 2022

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Kakiemon

Antique Butterflies Admin — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 14:06:10 +0000

Kakiemon is a style of Japanese porcelain, with overglaze decoration called “enameled” ceramics. It was originally produced at the factories around Arita, in Japan’s Hizen province.

The style was quickly copied by the new European porcelain factories that appeared in the 18th century, such as Meissen in Germany, Chantilly in France and Chelsea in England. The Chinese also began to copy the style for Chinese export porcelain. By about 1760 it had largely fallen from fashion in Europe. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of Kakiemon antiques which have butterflies as part of their design including an octagonal bowl.

Two octagonal porcelain bowls
Hizen ware, Kakiemon type
Edo period (1615-1868), 18th century
Each painted in red, yellow, blue, green, and black enamels with a chocolate-brown rim, the first decorated on the interior with two Kanbun beauties holding sprays of flowers and blossoming peonies and chrysanthemums behind a brush fence, the exterior a squirrel on grape vines on a bamboo trellis and butterflies above flowers and rocks, the second decorated on the interior with flowering vines rising from a band of linked blossoms encircling the cavetto, the exterior with scattered cherry blossoms
8 1/2in (21.6cm); 8 3/8in (21.2cm) diameter

Sold for Sold for US$2,167.50 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021

Japanese Arita Kakiemon octagonal porcelain serving bowl. Deep bowl with flaring mouth-rim, Inside decorated with butterflies, Ho Ho bird, cloud and moon, flowers and leaves. The center is decorated with flowers surrounded by a doubled octagon. The mouth-rim has a cage-au lait enameling and next to that a band of flowers. The outside, flowers and bamboo trellis. Made by the Kakiemon Kilns. ca. 1725, 4 1/4″H x 8 3/4″diam

Sold for US$375 at Ripley Auctions in 2021

A KAKIEMON DISH

EDO PERIOD

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A KAKIEMON DISH

EDO PERIOD, LATE 17TH CENTURY

the shallow, circular dish decorated in iron-red, green, yellow, blue and black enamels with butterflies hovering beside tree peonies emerging from behind rockwork, chocolate rim

22 cm, 8 3/4 in. diam.

Sold for 15,120 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2020

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Meissen

Antique Butterflies Admin — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 12:43:45 +0000

Meissen porcelain or Meissen china was the first European hard-paste porcelain. Early experiments were done in 1708 by Ehrenfried Walther von Tschirnhaus. After his death that October, Johann Friedrich Böttger continued von Tschirnhaus’s work and brought this type of porcelain to the market, financed by Augustus the Strong, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony. The production of porcelain in the royal factory at Meissen, near Dresden, started in 1710 and attracted artists and artisans to establish, arguably, the most famous porcelain manufacturer known throughout the world. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples and price guides of Meissen porcelain antiques including an example of the crossed swords maker’s mark and an armorial beaker and saucer

Crossed Swords Meissen Maker’s Mark

A rare early Meissen Dutch-decorated vase and cover, circa 1715-20, the decoration slightly later
Of ovoid form, painted with flower sprays alternating with birds, insects and butterflies, the moulded stiff-leaf borders painted in puce, iron-red and gilding, alternating with green, black and iron-red, the foot painted with a puce and gilt spiral band, the cover with a moulded stiff-leaf border painted in puce, iron-red and gilding, with formal foliate borders to the rim and top, 15.2cm high (very minor wear to enamels and gilding)

Sold for £3,570 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022

Sold for $3,150 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2021

German porcelain triangular serving dish with ornithological decoration by Meissen. Scalloped rimmed with hand painted birds, butterflies, insects, and floral garlands throughout. Meissen Marcolini mark to the undersides, circa 1800.
Weight Approx., 1.5 lbs Measures Approx., 11.25 inches x 12.25 inches

Sold for US$600 at Taylor & Harris in 2022

A Meissen armorial beaker and saucer, Circa 1735

the beaker painted on the front with the arms of the Counts Micheil of Venice and on the reverse with figures fishing on a rocky bank, a large gold-scaled fish caught by one, the centre of the saucer with figure in a garden holding a basket and below the rim with two vignettes of figures seated upon rockwork, a butterfly and a flower sprig, the rims with gilt patterned borders trailing flower sprigs above the coat-of-arms, crossed swords marks in underglaze blue.

Diameter of saucer: 5 ⅛ in.

13 cm

Sold for 75,600 USD at Sotheby’s in 2021

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Celadon Glaze

Antique Butterflies Admin — Fri, 20 Mar 2020 14:33:07 +0000

Celadon Glaze. Celadon is a term for pottery denoting both wares glazed in the jade green celadon color and a type of transparent glaze, often with small cracks, that was first used on greenware, but later used on other porcelains. Celadon originated in China, though the term is purely European, and notable kilns such as the Longquan kiln in Zhejiang province are renowned for their celadon glazes. Celadon production later spread to other parts of East Asia, such as Japan and Korea as well as Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand.

Eventually, European potteries produced some pieces, but it was never a major element there. Finer pieces are in porcelain, but both the color and the glaze can be produced in stoneware and earthenware. Most of the earlier Longquan celadon is on the border of stoneware and porcelain, meeting the Chinese but not the European definitions of porcelain. Reference: Wikipedia

A FAMILLE ROSE CELADON-GROUND MOONFLASK 19th century
Decorated to each face with butterflies amongst flowering peony stems, the sides with bats amongst clouds. 39cm (15 3/8in) high.

Sold for £ 1,147 (US$ 1,416) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2021

A PAIR OF GILT-METAL MOUNTED THEODORE DECK FAIENCE CELADON-GROUND LAMPS CIRCA 1880, IMPRESSED TH. DECK MARKS AND CYPHER.

Painted and enriched in gilt foil with birds, butterflies and flowers on a background lightly molded with flower-heads and scrolls
10 in. (25.4 cm.) high, the ceramic

Sold for USD 5,000 in 2021

Chinese Celadon Jade Brush Washer
19th Century
Carved as a large lotus leaf with butterflies and budding flowers. Diameter 5 inches.

Sold for $5,625 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2020

A Famille Rose Celadon Vase Late Qing. With a globular body and tubular, slightly waisted neck, exterior has protruding pattern with famille rose painting of flowers butterflies and clouds against a celadon ground, H:33cm

Sold for CA$2,000 at Stunning Arts Auction & Appraisal in 2022

A rare celadon-glazed ‘butterfly’ box and cover Tang dynasty / Five dynasties of compressed circular form, the narrow straight sides tapering towards a flat base, the domed cover molded to the top with a butterfly in flight, the auspicious insect highlighted with dark brown spots at the head and wings, covered with a translucent glaze of a pale celadon color suffused with a fine network of crackles.

Sold for 12,600 USD at Sotheby’s in 2021

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Joseon / Choson Dynasty

Antique Butterflies Admin — Thu, 19 Mar 2020 15:00:44 +0000

Joseon / Choson Dynasty. The Joseon dynasty (also transcribed as Chosŏn or Chosen, literally translated as Great Korean Country) was a Korean dynastic kingdom that lasted for approximately five centuries. Joseon was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and was replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. It was founded following the aftermath of the overthrow of Goryeo in what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul. The kingdom’s northernmost borders were expanded to the natural boundaries at the rivers of Amnok and Tuman through the subjugation of the Jurchens. Joseon was the last dynasty of Korea and its longest-ruling Confucian dynasty.

The Mid-Joseon dynasty painting styles moved towards increased realism. A national painting style of landscapes called “true view” began – moving from the traditional Chinese style of idealized general landscapes to particular locations exactly rendered. While not photographic, the style was academic enough to become established and supported as a standardized style in Korean painting. At this time China ceased to have pre-eminent influence, Korean art took its own course, and became increasingly distinctive to the traditional Chinese painting.

Ceramics are a form of popular art during the Joseon Dynasty. Examples of ceramics include white porcelain or white porcelain decorated with cobalt, copper red underglaze, blue underglaze and iron underglaze. Ceramics from the Joseon period differ from other periods because artists felt that each piece of art deserved its own uniquely cultivated personality. Reference: Wikipedia

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Chinese Porcelain

Antique Butterflies Admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 12:33:54 +0000

Chinese Porcelain. Porcelain was invented in China over a centuries-long development period beginning with “proto-porcelain” wares dating from the Shang dynasty (1600–1046 BC). By the time of the Eastern Han dynasty (AD 25–220) these early glazed ceramic wares had developed into porcelain, which Chinese defined as high-fired ware. Reference: Chinese Porcelain: Art, Elegance and Appreciation (Arts of China) By the late Sui dynasty (581–618 AD) and early Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), the now-standard requirements of whiteness and translucency had been achieved, in types such as Ding ware. The wares were already exported to the Islamic world, where they were highly prized.

Eventually, porcelain and the expertise required to create it began to spread into other areas of East Asia. During the Song dynasty (960–1279 AD), artistry and production had reached new heights. The manufacture of porcelain became highly organised, and the dragon kilns excavated from this period could fire as many as 25,000 pieces at a time, and over 100,000 by the end of the period. While Xing ware is regarded as among the greatest of the Tang dynasty porcelain, Ding ware became the premier porcelain of the Song dynasty.

By the time of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644 AD), porcelain wares were being exported to Europe. Some of the most well-known Chinese porcelain art styles arrived in Europe during this era, such as the coveted “blue-and-white” wares. The Ming dynasty controlled much of the porcelain trade, which was expanded to Asia, Africa and Europe via the Silk Road. In 1517, Portuguese merchants began direct trade by sea with the Ming dynasty, and in 1598, Dutch merchants followed.

Some porcelains were more highly valued than others in imperial China. The most valued types can be identified by their association with the court, either as tribute offerings, or as products of kilns under imperial supervision. Since the Yuan dynasty, the largest and best centre of production has made Jingdezhen porcelain. During the Ming dynasty, Jingdezhen porcelain become a source of imperial pride. The Yongle emperor erected a white porcelain brick-faced pagoda at Nanjing, and an exceptionally smoothly glazed type of white porcelain is peculiar to his reign. Jingdezhen porcelain’s fame came to a peak during the Qing dynasty. Reference: Wikipedia

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Jar

Antique Butterflies Admin — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 16:21:28 +0000

A jar is a rigid, cylindrical or slightly conical container, typically made of glass, ceramic, or plastic, with a wide mouth or opening that can be closed with a lid, screw cap, lug cap, cork stopper, roll-on cap, crimp-on cap, press-on cap, plastic shrink, heat sealed lidding film, an inner seal, a Tamper-evident band, or other suitable means.

Jars can be used to hold solids too large to be removed from, or liquids too viscous to be poured through, a bottle’s neck; these may be foods, cosmetics, medications, or chemicals. Glass jars—among which the most popular is the mason jar—can be used for storing and preserving items as diverse as jam, pickled gherkin, other pickles, marmalade, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, jalapeño peppers, chutneys, pickled eggs, honey, and many others. Reference: Wikipedia

Below are some examples, information and price guide to jars with butterflies in their design including a Galle cameo glass jar and a famille rose butterfly jar.

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