Asian Dragon vase pair

Howdy... I am hoping someone can help me identify this pair of vases. I paid dearly for them in an antique shop...but no information was available from the seller.

-Pair of Dragon Vases...probably bronze with a glass "ball" in the hand of each dragon.
-Ten inches high and (approx) six inches across at the top
-Signed in Chinese ( I assume) on the bottom.
- Have been estimated by an Asian antiques dealer ( who could provide no information) to be late 1880's...despite their Deco look.

Anyone have an opinion, or a recommendation as to where to inquire?

Thanks for your feedback!

 

They are impressive and very interesting but 1880’s? Wow,that’s surprising. Looks much newer. At first glance they don’t even look antique (to me) Must be heavy if those dragons are bronze. Looking forward to hear what the experts on the forum say. If they are 1880’s then they must be something really special.

 

Also a little odd to me that the Asian Antiques dealer could not provide additional information or identify the signature to support the 1880’s date (but that’s just me and I really don’t know anything about chinese antiques)

 

Quite a tricky one. The character on the left appears to be 寿 (shou) can't make out the other, but shou is one of the good luck symbols (longevity). Could do with some larger pics, I can't zoom into the details which really helps with assessing period.

What I can say is that it would be unusual to have the dragons holding glass balls in an antique, this is more of a later 20th thing. They also seem to be influenced by the Japanese which again isn't usual for antiques. It's possible they have age, and they look well made. See if you can get some better images to post, and you can also take it to a reputable auction house with an asian specialist, it's much easier to date items like this when holding them.

 

The dragons seem to have two characteristics of Japanese dragons...3 toes and a pair of longhorns on the head. Chinese dragons also may have horns but not as long or swept back and usually have 4 or 5 toes. Of course, this is not written in stone, just my experience from collecting and reference books.

 

I think there are several legends of dragons and pearls. So I am surmising the little glass orbs are supposed to be pearls.

 

So true! Wikipedia has an excellent article about dragons and flaming pearls.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_dragon

 

Agree that the glass balls seem incongruous.

 

Thanks everybody!
I rubbed some chalk into the bottom writing to make it clearer.

The seller made no claims, the Asian Antiques dealer (a friend) had no experience with these.

It is quite possible that hey are a conglomeration made for the European or US market. I had considered all the incongruities that the forum mentioned.

The clear deco influence was also hard for me to overcome. I also suspected that if they were so old the balls would likely have been stone or jade ( which would have been wonderful.

I am new to this site and LOVE the feedback and general conversation I have received here, as well as commenting on my areas of knowledge. What a nice group of folks!

 

Close up of dragons...a different metal or an unfinished version of the same metal.
Can someone please tell me how to edit the original post?

 

The Japanese used a variety of patinas on copper and other metals,one list in link.

https://www.ganoksin.com/article/japanese-patinas-special-patinas/

 

Thank you Holly...that is interesting

 

So...with the combined ideas of y'all and Ce BCA and Pat...I was able to begin some research. They appear to be Japanese Meiji period (1868-1912)...so they could be from within that period.

The rock crystal marbles were used extensively.

Major dealers and auction houses have handled similar...so I will report back if Bonham's responds.

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24263/lot/6008/?category=list&length=12&page=1

Thanks everybody!