Ceramic Chinese Couple Wall Pocket/Flower Frogs?

But what did the thumb ring start at? If it had listed at a $2K starting bid it may not have sold. Also you are a consignment dealer not the actual seller so I wouldn't think anything you sell should reflect back on you. Unless you get a reputation for selling lots of fakes and reproductions you should be allowed the occasional odd ball listing.
Don

 

Hi LtH,
I can't help much with valuation, but found these two:
1) Maybe vintage but sold for $40 only.
2) These two look earlier than yours, claimed 19th Century and were part of an English Probate Valuation, but no price was given, unfortunately. The company is: ITG Probate Valuations Services, but they have a really dreadful website and I couldn't even copy their web address for you

Wish I could help more.

 

Yeah, I just printed that listing to give him, along with my rejection.
He's an old man, who's been antiquing many years, but a lot of his knowledge predates the internet, and also some of it is from looking at books. So, on one hand, some of his info is outdated, and on the other hand, I have never sold anything to a book!
He does know stuff I don't, so I've learned from him (and we've made many thousand$ together, including my highest sale ever), but Asian ceramics isn't his forte. He just brings me stuff he believes is old; sometimes it is, sometimes not.
The internet has also dramatically changed the antiques market, so sometimes I have to educate him about things that are not that valuable, any more.
I am grateful to all those on this forum who share their extensive knowledge so freely - I LOVE TO LEARN!

 

I do usually state when items are consignments, but I still don't like to look too ridiculous, as I don't want to cast doubts on my other listings (in case some do look at them).
If I recall, we started the thumb ring at $145, based on the YAMANAKA Sterling mark on the little stand, which surely helped attract the right eyes, but was not the actual gem in the listing!

 

I would believe they are mid- 20th cen. For the pair, very hard to sell over $100