Can anyone help

[SilverFox]

Hello.
Can anyone please shed any light or any information on this beautiful pot? When we got it it was full of smoke as it came from a lady who smoked a lot indoors but we cleaned it up and it revealed this beautiful design. We have no idea what the stamp mark is or any dates so anything you can help with will be appreciated. We have had it for about 10 years and the elderly lady said it came from her father.
Thank you xx

[mart]

This is a situation where as they say "close only counts if you are playing horse shoes" but the mark closely resembles one dated from 1900 to 1950 !!  Reproductions were made in the 1970`s as well !! If it was that smoked up it will be hard to date by appearance !!  Some of the members here may be able to read the stamp but I am not one of them !! Wait till they come along and take a look !! There are many similar vases on ebay similar style and handles !!  They used all sorts of animals on those !!

[KC]

Try looking at "Hu Form Famille Vase".

[Mat]

Yes, it is a Hu Vase, the stamped mark reads Tongzhi Nian Zhi, but I am not sure if it is mark & period, I would think a bit later, from the Guangxu period...
Mat

[Ipcress]

Looks later than that to me, Mat.

[mart]

Have no clue what those periods are but I was betting on 1970`s !!

[Mat]

On a second look I think you two are right, it is later! I was too quick dating it, I guess...

[SilverFox]

Hello all
Thank you all so much for your advice and help. So the general thoughts are that it's 1970's?? I would have thought it was older than that as it has a lot df wear to the base.
Thanks though for your advice

[KC]

Silverfox, I personally haven't used this forum, but they seem very active and from what I have been observing the people are pretty swift there!  So, try and post the same question here:
http://asianart.com/phpforum/index.php

Mat is pretty knowledgeable and Others/I just dabble in it.  Always great to get other opinions!

[SilverFox]

Thanks KC I will give it a try, I have lots of vintage and unusual items plus lots of oriental pieces that I have never seen anything even similar before and not know really were to find out the information so I am excited to be able to share them with you all and discuss them with people who appreciate it as much as I do. 

[mart]

I based my date on the artwork !! The simple shapes are done in coloring book technique !! Could be decorated by almost anyone with a paintbrush !! No depth of color or detail to speak of just colors inside the lines !! Typical of many sold here during the 1970`s and later !!  But do ask at the other forum,, we are only looking at pics you know !! Doesn`t hurt to double check !! Try some plain old windex and an old toothbrush to clean that bottom !! Or any good grease cutting cleaner !! Pour some in a shallow bowl with water and let it sit for about 5 minutes, then use the toothbrush to scrub !! May take more of the stain off the bottom !! Can also use a Teflon scrubbie !! But not on the artwork,, just the bottom !!

[Ipcress]

Thanks KC I will give it a try, I have lots of vintage and unusual items plus lots of oriental pieces that I have never seen anything even similar before and not know really were to find out the information so I am excited to be able to share them with you all and discuss them with people who appreciate it as much as I do. 

The colours look modern, as do the almost Bambi-esque handles. Then there's the mark, which looks stamped. Then the base...
Have a quick google for Tongzhi period and Guangxu period hu vases. You'll notice some key differences.

Mat has a good eye and i've catalogued Chinese antiques worth tens of thousands so we've a fair idea but with many of these items, we can often be " fooled " by a photo. Much easier when handling these items as weight and glaze are also factors when appraising them.