Vintage Chinese Metal Urn Vase Dragons Sacred Pearl Moon Heart Foo Dog Handles

This small 5.75"H metal urn style vase features a traditional metal form decorated with an etched or engraved daoist style motifs of dragons flanking a large heart outline shape while pursuing a floating sacred pearl/moon or luminous ball/sun above the heart along with foo dog face style accents on each side with metal ring handles hanging from their mouths. I am unsure of the origin due to a lack of similar urn/vase listings online or in my books and little information regarding the combination of the featured symbols but I am guessing it was made in China or Japan as a temple piece or made as an export product but I cannot guarantee. The metal is lightweight and includes tones of silver, brass & copper so I am not certain what the metal is composed of nor how old the piece is, however I think that the silver tones might be remnants of paint or plating. It does have wear so PLEASE read complete details below and review photos closely for condition. Thank you and enjoy!


ITEM DETAILS:

  • Approximate weight is 7 ozs 
  • Measures approximately 3-1/8" x 4" x 5-3/4"H overall. The rim of the mouth is approximately 2" across.
  • Condition: In vintage pre-owned used condition with wear including surface finish loss, patina, tarnish, verdigris, dents, dings, scratches, abrasions, scuff marks, at least one sizeable dent to the right of one of the handles in addition to a sizeable dent behind/under one of the handles, rust, a dent in the forehead of one of the foo dog faces, discoloring, gunk, grime, dulling, oxidation, the engraved or etched surface designs have been worn down, I am guessing that the vase was originally finished in a silver tone paint or plating which has worn off for the most part but is still visible on half of one side in addition to around the neck and interior, the inside is dirty with grime and rust, paint residue, fingerprints, there is a reddish brown metal color showing through the surface finish in different areas on the form, there are spots of green verdigris on several areas, the mouth rim of the form is not perfectly square/horizontal or in line with the vase shape and overall wear due to age and handling. Please see photos for details.
  • Age/era: Unknown
  • Origin: Unknown, possibly China
  • Marks: Unmarked

PURCHASE DETAILS:

  • QUESTIONS: I actively try to disclose all issues that I find with the piece and prefer to have a smooth transaction for both of us so please message any questions/concerns regarding the listing PRIOR to bidding/purchase
  • RETURNS: Items must be returned via the exact method and packaging as the original shipment including tracking/etc. Refund will be made once the item has arrived back to me in original condition with no damage. Items that appear to have been altered by the buyer, replaced or cleaned/polished/etc will not be accepted for return this includes damage caused due to buyer wear & missing pieces/components that were visible in listing images. Returned items will be thoroughly inspected for any alterations as compared to the original listing photos. RETURN SHIPPING COST IS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE BUYER UNLESS NOTED OTHERWISE IN THE LISTING.
  • Due to the variations in device screens and monitors, colors may vary slightly, therefore I cannot guarantee that what you see accurately portrays the colors of each item—please message with any questions regarding colors/etc