Question: Dear R.D. Langer, I would sincerely appreciate your help with a vase that my father has, we took it into a place to have it appraised and not only did it take her weeks to get back to us but we truely believe she is way off base on the appraisal. This originally belonged to my grandfather who had it appraised back in November of 1973, at that time he was given the history on the vase and an appraisal. I can tell you this person we took it to recently appraised it $900 less then what it was back n 1973. I am not convinced this particular vase would have depretiated in value.
The following is the infomation from the original appraisal: 1- vase, 18-1/2" high, Chinese porcelain, Ch ' ng Dynasty, Yung Cheng Period, 1722 - 1735, base with Ch'eng mark, often used during the Yung Cheng Period, club shape, all over cream crackle glased ground, overglased decorations in enamel colors, "Battle Scene with Mountainous Background" deep brown glazed bands of incised wave and dragon patterns, flared lip with brown trim, dragon grips in applique.
Any help you could give would be so appreciated, my father is 82 and was so completely disappointed with how the person I took it too handled this but also upset do to what she charged us just to repeat the information I gave her.
Thank you in advanced for any input you may have.
RD Langer replies: The vase looks to me like Japanese, not Chinese. I cannot identify the mark; it is unknown to me. You may wish to contact Bonhams in San Francisco, ask for the e-mail address of Ms. D. Goddard, e-mail photo. Let me know what they think. Thanks and good luck. RDL