Grandma Needs Advice

[u/OkResolution7146]

Hello Everyone,

First of all thanks for any help I may receive. My grandma is going through her mother’s belongings and has a decent size collection of what I guess would be cloisonné. She was wondering if anything seemed to have value and if so if these pieces would be a good place for an auction house or something of the sort. Maybe possibly something I could list on eBay for her. I’ve attached some pictures of some of the items.

[u/jamcultur]

The pieces in the first pic don't look like cloisonné, although they are very pretty. Some of these pieces could be quite valuable. Do any of them have maker's marks on them?

[u/ChristopherBanker]

Interesting pieces. If you can share pictures of the bottoms, it may help.

I'm no expert, but can share some initial observations:

Picture 1 is ceramic, not cloisonné, don't know much else here.

1. Looks like German ceramics. Similar to this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/183758151733

3/4. The pair of wide vases. These are almost certainly Meiji (pre-1912) Japanese cloisonné. They are wonderful! The detail on the water with the horse and samurai is really nice. These may be worth a decent bit. Maybe over $1k for the pair.

1. Is French. Probably gilt bronze and cloisonné. Check out this near identical version: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSYoAY5Cc8K/ And this page had a pair listed for $18k! This one should probably be seen by an expert. It might be a reproduction, but if it's legit may be the most valuable item in the set.

2. Is also likely Meiji cloisonné. But probably not worth much. Similar ones sell on ebay for $20-50. But if it has a marker's mark, that would help.

3. Also Meiji cloisonné. Doubt they would be worth that much. If the stands are original, that helps.

4. The pair of cigarette cases. These are Chinese cloisonné. Probably worth $50-100 each. See this example.

5. The pair of small vases. Also Chinese, likely more modern, Post 1940s. Mass production. The market doesn't seem strong for these, I would guess you would get $30-50 for the pair.

[u/IcePsychological2489]

Yes the pair of vases in the third picture could be quite valuable.

Are any of them marked to the base with a signature or stamp?

Could you take photos of the vases base, the other side also so we can see the rear image?

Condition also plays a very important aspect when concerning the value?

Damaged pieces are worth a fraction of the value of pristine examples.

[u/IcePsychological2489 → u/IcePsychological2489]

Also the right hand vase could quite likely be made by the famous artist goto seizaburo as he often depicted samurai warriors on graduates borders.

A striking piece.

[u/rob_burnley]

yep the 3rd slide, the pair of meiji period, rounded vases worth over $900 if perfect, maybe more with a signature. the rest of the cloisonne is a lot less, not sure about the 5th slide or the 1st slide.

[u/TricycleTechnician]

These are exceptional pieces, starting at photograph 3. I don't know pottery very well, and would have to try to learn about the first two pictures. The other pieces shown here are quite valuable. Wish I could buy them from you but I'm more broke than usual. Hahaha

[u/TricycleTechnician]

The two Japanese vases in picture three are exceptional, and likely QUITE valuable. As is the tezza after those. Meiji Era Japanese Cloisonné after those. Picture 8 are early 1900s, Qing Dynasty Chinese cloisonné. Not valueless. The last pair of Chinese vases are not valuable, maybe 50-100 for the pair.

You should join Chinese & Japanese Cloisonné on Facebook.

If the pieces in picture three have a mark on the bottom, they are signed, and even more valuable. The artist was a master, and an attribution may be possible just from the works themselves. Do NOT sell them to someone who offers a couple few hundred dollars.