This breathtaking lidded porcelain urn is an extraordinary example of late 19th to early 20th century Chinese craftsmanship. The lid is crowned with a classic guardian lion (or Foo dog), symbolizing strength and protection in Chinese tradition. The body is richly adorned with molded and applied high-relief scenes—birds in flight, blooming plum blossoms, and children at play—each a timeless emblem of harmony, joy, and longevity.
Though designed to resemble carved ivory, this piece is porcelain, hand-finished with remarkable care and detail. It rests on its original carved hardwood stand, which adds elegance and stability to its display.
This piece has been passed down from my great-great-grandparents, who lived in China, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia during the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were avid collectors with deep cultural knowledge and refined taste, and this urn was part of their personal collection—chosen with discernment and preserved with love.
Material: Porcelain/china with ivory-style decorative technique
Era: Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republic (c. 1880–1920)
Origin: China
Features: Guardian lion lid, relief carvings of birds, blossoms, and children, original hardwood base
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with natural aging and patina
Provenance: Family heirloom from my great-great-grandparents’ East Asian collection
Note: This piece is not ivory, and is fully legal to sell domestically
This breathtaking lidded porcelain urn is an extraordinary example of late 19th to early 20th century Chinese craftsmanship. The lid is crowned with a classic guardian lion (or Foo dog), symbolizing strength and protection in Chinese tradition. The body is richly adorned with molded and applied high-relief scenes—birds in flight, blooming plum blossoms, and children at play—each a timeless emblem of harmony, joy, and longevity.
Though designed to resemble carved ivory, this piece is porcelain, hand-finished with remarkable care and detail. It rests on its original carved hardwood stand, which adds elegance and stability to its display.
This piece has been passed down from my great-great-grandparents, who lived in China, Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia during the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were avid collectors with deep cultural knowledge and refined taste, and this urn was part of their personal collection—chosen with discernment and preserved with love.
Material: Porcelain/china with ivory-style decorative technique
Era: Late Qing Dynasty to Early Republic (c. 1880–1920)
Origin: China
Features: Guardian lion lid, relief carvings of birds, blossoms, and children, original hardwood base
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with natural aging and patina
Provenance: Family heirloom from my great-great-grandparents’ East Asian collection
Note: This piece is not ivory, and is fully legal to sell domestically
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