Featured Chinese Export Vase

Seeking info on this export piece. It has the wax stamp and a faded import/export sticker? It is 6 1/2" tall porcelain with enameled figures. thanks for looking!

 

I don't know about it, but wonder whether it's unusual for something like this to have a wax seal on the bottom?

 

Hi,
I have several of the vases and bowls with the wax stamps on them. They were put on when things began to be shipped to the USA. They were used as an okay to ship meaning that they were not of high quality to be a "true" antique. My one bowl was made in circa 1790-1810. There was so much corruption back then the wax stamp was removed. I think this started after Nixon's trip to China.
greg

 

This was sold for YUAN RMB 180, whenever it was bought. The lacquer seal was used in China by the Cultural Relics Bureau, and affixed to any and all pieces that were considered "exportable antiques," i.e., that could cross borders. They were sold in authorized dealers and stores (Friendship Stores, places like Liu Li Chang (in Beijing) the "antiques street," etc. This one was checked and approved by the relevant equivalent department in Guang Dong (Canton.) The characters describe it as (roughly) "Small colored/decorated vase --- Cai Xiao Ping.) Originally, the piece, lacquer seal and receipt had to be kept together for one to cross the border and get it through customs, and receipts and lacquer seals did not expire. When I left China, I found out that (as usual, they do whatever hey want,) the Chinese authorities had decided that receipts and "export permits" were valid for 6 months only. So... many pieces I had bought under an official contract/permit to be exported, had to be left behind, because they no longer honored the sales contract. More, anything imported into China these last few years, that is considered an antique, regardless of being Chinese or not, and regardless of where it was bought, can no longer leave China. Some of my books, dated back to the late 1700s, early 1800s, were confiscated at the customs. They could not care less if I had bought them in France, Japan, UK, etc., if they are antiques (anything older then 75-125 years, or whatever they decide,) is automatically barred from leaving China. I have boxes that entered, were declared, were sealed by the customs, and left unopened for 20 years, and that I was told could leave China if I never opened them, that I had to leave behind. etc. etc. etc.
(I better stop ranting or I won't ever stop...)

 

That's terrible -- especially that you had to leave the books behind!

 

Hi JayBee,
Thank you for your information. I only heard of the term when I started to collect Chinese porcelains. I had a wonderful teacher from the Met. We became friends and she tried to show me what to look for. We sat down on the floor of Altman's department store in Manhattan. There had to be thousands of pieces of porcelain in stacks. We spent hours there picking out pieces. I gathered out about 25 pieces that I thought were old and valuable. Miss Wu went through my 25 pieces and picked out 7 that she thought were suitable for my beginning collection. She ended up with 3 for hers. It was a magical four hours. I member spending 65 dollars for the ten pieces. 25 years later I sold 6 pieces of the collection for over 8 grand. They all went back to China. I still have about 18 pieces that I Would not sell since they have special meaning to me. I have notes on them but I still think they will tossed onto the trash truck when I die.
greg

 

Hi Greg - it is really none of my business but have you considered appointing a trusted friend, or acquaintance who has some experience in antiques, as your executor. Perhaps then you could set your mind at ease that your estate will be treated with respect?
Don

 

Hi Don,
I have, but 20 mins after I am pronounced my place with all of its
stuff would be divided by the people who get here first. By the time my friends get notices of my end. Everything would be gone, I have in my will that certain things go to certain people but by the time my will gets read the stuff will be gone. I have sat down with a lot of people and ask what they want when I am gone and most just say they want nothing that needs taken care of. I have been giving some stuff to people who I feel really like the stuff.
However I am so attached to some things I can not give away. It is the collector in me. Don I want to thank you for your concern but it is things that I have been over and over again.
I just hope that it does not happen to anyone else. I am hoping that my other half has the strength to try and keep it together.
greg

 

I understand. I'm wrestling with many of these questions myself. I hope that the day when your things will be divided is still many years away. All the best,
Don

 

Greg. Buy your wife a trained guard dog. Have an alarmed security installed and have her change the code as soon as you pass. Your wishes should be honored, and she should not have to deal with vultures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

JayBee, I am sorry that happened to you. Thank you for your explanation of the wax seal and paper label.

Greg it is sad there are so many after death vultures out there.