Pair of matching deep oxblood glazed Chinese porcelain vases with molded deer head handles that were potted and glazed with extreme precision. The glaze color truly stunning.The glaze, which is thick, smooth and shiny, is a transmutation glaze that has turned a deep red oxblood color. There are lighter pink red spots especially under the deer heads, around the rim and near the foot. The glaze has pooled near the foot and has been ground smooth. The red glaze extends a third of the way on the interior. The rest of the interior has a white glaze. The foot is unglazed. The cut foot ring has a nice worn feel although the glaze itself is not very oxidized.The vases have fine attention to detail. There are two sculpted deer head handles on each side near the top. The vases were heavily potted. You can see the very fine pottera€?s wheel marks on the base. The vases are nearly perfectly matched although one vase has six Chinese characters Tongzhi reign mark (1856 a€“1875) hand-etched on the clay of the base. The other has the six characters make up the reign mark for the Guangxu emperor (1875 a€“1908), also hand etched in the clay.Opinion about age: The marks are consistent with similar vases marked and period, and the quality of craftsmanship is very good. While these vases could possibly be marked and period (produced a few years apart at the end of the Tongzhi, start of the Guangxu reigns), WE BELIEVE the vases are excellent 20th century reproductions due to the limited wear and oxidation of the glaze, as well as very limited color transmutation at the mouth. If so, they are very high quality reproductions and excellent specimens in their own right.MEASUREMENTS Each vase measures 9 1/4" (24.5 cm) tall. 4 1/2" (11.4 cm) mouth. 7 1/2" (19.1 cm) diameter One vase weighs 6 lb 9.7 oz (2.99 kg) Second vase weights 6 lb 3.9 oz (2.83 kg)CONDITION There are no breaks, chips, or cracks. The glaze shows little wear and is bright and fresh.There is nothing like a good oxblood vase. The color is so rich and deep. The deep oxblood color and deer head handles make these vases of high distinction.Item ID: Por-1540a