成化帝 大明 Certified Chinese porcelain vase, Ming dynasty, (1447-1487) mark and period. The mark of 4 characters in ...

成化帝 大明 Certified Chinese porcelain vase, Ming dynasty, (1447-1487) mark and period. The mark of 4 characters in seal script pronounced CHEN GHUA NIAN ZHI, which means made during reign of Chenghua. The seal is incised in a deep black square area at the bottom, without glaze. Chenghua is the reign of a Chinese emperor during Ming dynasty. Height: 23.6 inches = 60 cm; Upper Diameter: 6 inches = 15.5 cm; Biggest Diameter: 10.8 inches = 27 cm; Biggest Circumference/Perimeter: 32.8 inches = 82 cm; Base diameter: 7.5 inches = 18.7 cm Weight: 19 lb. = 8.5 kg; Condition: Very good for the age, genuine gentle crazing all over, several hairline stable cracks at the bottom (see the photos), which continue to the body of the vase for approximately 7 cm and then disappear. Possibly these cracks appeared during baking in the kiln. There is no glaze on the upper rim, which means that upper part of the vase was cut, presumably in 18th century, by European collector. High magnification photos (x50) are available on demand. Provenance: made in China in 1447-1487 at Jingdezhen kiln in Jiangxi province, at the same period has been decorated with colors in Beijing. Bought by Western European buyer in 18th-19th century. Later in 20th century moved to USA, sold from Estate sale, bought in antique store in Florida, USA. Market price: If this vase would not be cut at the top and there would not be a hairline crack at the bottom – the price may go up to $50,000,000 and higher. Because of these 2 problems – the market price is only $5,000,000 - $10,000,000 USD. This vase is still unbelievable beautiful and rare. https://alaintruong2014.wordpress.com/tag/mark-and-period-of-chenghua/ http://www.greatestcollectibles.com/most-expensive-vases/#.WSd9HE2rPX4 https://successstory.com/spendit/most-expensive-vases. This vase is authenticated as genuine, made in the period of ?? (1447-1487) by Dr. Qing Chang, PhD, who is a Research Curator of the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Dallas Arts District, TX, USA. http://crowcollection.org/curator-conversations/a-conversation-with-our-new-curator-dr-qing-chang/ Certificate of authenticity is available in English and Chinese.