A Blue-Glazed Bottle Vase with Guangxu Marks

[Charles]

Hi Peter and Stan. This blue-glazed porcelain bottle vase has a pear-shaped body, slim neck, with a very slight flare to the rim, and it is 10 1/2" tall. The auction house says it has Guangxu marks and is of the period. What do you think of it?

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/cdieu/BlueGlazedBottleVaseGuangXu1_zpsae1a0c6f.jpg
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/cdieu/BlueGlazedBottleVaseGuangXu2_zps01b25956.jpg
http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t652/cdieu/BlueGlazedBottleVaseGuangXu3_zps0f947dd6.jpg

[peterp]

Hi Charles,
It is virtually impossible to make sure with this class of items, especially when it is monochrome. A hands-on inspection would be in order to make sure.
If you consider bidding, you will have to evaluate the reliability of the auction house (or rather their experts) first, and then rely on their opinion. But, if the price is high, I would consider only one of the top tier auction houses.
Monochromes are more difficult to evaluate.

[Charles]

Thanks for the insight Peter! The estimate is $1,000 to $1,400 and the opening bid is $500. I have already started my due diligence and research into the auction house and their experts to determine their reliability. They were solely an Asian art auction house for many years before expanding to other areas of interest. Based on the photographs, do you have any thoughts or opinions about the foot rim and the Guangxu mark or are they also inconclusive without further inspection?

[peterp]

The problem with such items is that they are what I call "borderline" items. You can hardly make out if they are authentic or high quality fakes. I would rather not comment on this item either way.

Please also pay attention to the wording used in the description.
For example:
Does it say "of the period"?
Does it say "Guangxu mark"? This would mean danger to me, because this only states that there is such a mark, not that the item is of the period.

[Charles]

Thanks again Peter. The description said Guangxu mark and of the period. This is definitely something I keep an eye out for and it is why this particular item caught my attention in the first place.

[Stan]

Hi Charles, if the auction house is guaranteeing it authenticity I would bid on it, if it is a fake and you find out later they should stand behind their guarantee.