Double Happiness Symbol Appraisal

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain 'Double Happiness' Finial or Seal

This item is a decorative blue and white porcelain object, appearing to be either a large furniture/lamp finial or a decorative seal. It features a two-part construction consisting of a spherical top ornament and a cylindrical drum-shaped base, joined by a narrowed neck. The material is a high-fired white porcelain with underglaze cobalt blue decoration. The spherical top is adorned with a stylized 'Seigaiha' or overlapping wave and floral petal pattern, radiating from a central floral motif. The cylindrical base prominently features the 'Shuangxi' or Double Happiness character (囍), a traditional Chinese symbol often associated with weddings and good fortune, flanked by scrolled peonies or lotus blossoms. Physically, the glaze appears smooth and glossy with a slight bluish-grey tint characteristic of late 20th-century or contemporary reproductions of Ming or Qing dynasty styles. The linework is executed with varying degrees of precision; the base characters are bold, while the spherical patterns show more intricate stippling and line-weight variation. Condition-wise, the piece appears to be in excellent structural state with no visible chips, cracks, or repairs. However, the surface shows some glare and reflections, suggesting it is highly vitrified. There are no maker's marks visible on the exterior, which is common for such decorative export wares designed for the global market in the mid-to-late 20th century.