Chinese Han Dynasty Ancient Jade Four Phoenix Vase Value?

[jiggysmb]

Hello
 
I was recently left a vase I would like to get more information on.  I know it was scheduled to be auctioned as "Chinese Han Dynasty Ancient Jade Four Phoenix Vase, 206BC-220AD", but my family never went through with the auction.  It was purchased long time ago in Beijing by a member of my family who collected chinese antiques.  I cant find much on Google other than some museums that have a few similar in style.  Any info that can be offered would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks in advance.

[frogpatch]

You really need to bring that to an expert in Chinese Art. Are you near a major city?

[mart]

I agree with Frogpatch !!  Its way out of my league !!

[jiggysmb]

Thanks for the advice!  I am near York PA but none of the shops I have gone to have seen anything like it.  The story I got from a relative was an auctioneer told her to insure it for $10,000.  One of the shops I went to said that sounded  weird because it would be worth much more if real, or much less if a replica.  If either of you can recommend someone in the PA or MD area it would be appreciated.

[mart]

Rarely will an antique shop have the knowledge to give an estimate on an item like this !!  A museum or major auction house would !!  Try Christies Auction online service !!

[ghopper1924]

Rarely will an antique shop have the knowledge to give an estimate on an item like this !!  A museum or major auction house would !!  Try Christies Auction online service !!

Good advice!  It's a beauty, so get back to us with whatever you find out!

[jiggysmb]

Thanks guys, I have requested the auction estimate from Christies.

[mart]

Let us know what they say !!

[Ipcress]

I would be cautious with this. Might look impressive but i would doubt it's that old.

And they are dragons.

[caspert79]

If it's real it might be worth a lot of money.

[bigwull]

I would be cautious with this. Might look impressive but i would doubt it's that old.

And they are dragons.

And what may i ask..has led you to think that this may be nothing more than a recent piece of junk.....

[Ipcress]

The colours, the chariot type thing in the middle, and years of experience selling items like this. It might have some age but Han Dynasty ?

I could be wrong.

It appears to have been broken and glued together.

[mart]

I wondered about that line too !!

[bigwull]

i expect we,d all have a line or two...if we were over 1800 years old....

[jiggysmb]

I finally received a reply from Christies about a month ago and the email said something along the lines of "the item does not meet our guidelines".  They did not ask for pictures or more info, so Im not sure who else to take the item to. 

There does appear to be cracks but they are veins of different colors, it doesnt seem to have glue or any damage.  The original purchase was in the 40s-50s, apparently my great grand father frequently purchased artifacts from around the world and sent them home, many were donated to universities and museums so I would highly doubt it is a reproduction. 

The auctioneer that was supposed to sell it labelled it "Chinese Han Dynasty Ancient Jade Four Phoenix Vase, 206BC-220AD" so I dont claim to know the difference between a Dragon and a Phoenix, but I would guess there was some reason he went with that specific title.  A quick google search of "Han Dynasty Jade Four Phoenix Vase" does show other vases that have similar figures labelled as Phoenix and many also show the same color lines.

I guess I will try to take to get appraised and see if an appraiser can find more info or verify authenticity.