Modern-day's mark on Chinese porcelain
A lot ofantique Chinese porcelain has marks on the bottom of it. Both auctioneers and collectorsjudge the antique porcelain's valuebased on these marks.
Here are a few factsto help you understand what the marks are and how they worked.
What Is the Mark on Chinese Porcelain?
In the past, the mark on the bottom of the porcelain wasits manufacturing certification. The mark on antique Chinese porcelain normallydenoted the dynasty and the reigning title of the emperorfor whom the item was made.
Nowadays, many producers print their brand or some well-wishing words on the bottom of the porcelain pieces, such as '福' (Fu, which literally means 'good fortune').
Where Are the Marks?
The marks were mostly printedon the bottom of a porcelain vesselin a vertical arrangement. A fraction of them would also be printed on the base or the mouth of a vessel in a horizontal line.
When Were the Marks First Used?
Chinese stamp
Reign marks were first added to the bottom of porcelainin theMing Dynasty(1368–1644).
Potters printed the reign marks on the bottom asa way to protect and spread their brand.
Most emperors since the Ming Dynasty thought that porcelain with their reign marks wouldrepresent themand be a way for later generations to remember them.
Special Marks During the Reign of Emperor Kangxi
During the reign ofEmperor Kangxi, there was a special period during whichporcelain marks were not adopted.
The bottoms of most items of porcelain were marked with symbols and characters relating to the reigning era. However, Emperor Kangxi believed that if porcelain items with his reign mark were smashed or discarded, it would bean unfortunate sign for him.
In the last years of his reign, most of the porcelain that came from the kilns hadtwo concentric circleson the bottom. Among them was different emblazonry, which represented different producers.
How to Read the Marks?
Enamel paited porcelain made in Qing's Emperor Qianlong's reign.
According tothe ancient Chinese traditionof writing and reading, the marks on the bottom of a porcelain vessel are usually read from top to bottom, and from right to left. Marks written horizontally are read from right to left.
General Characteristics of Marks on Chinese Porcelain
Most of the reign marks comprisedfour or six characters. The characters' style would vary in different periods.
Normally, the first two wordsindicated the dynasty or emperor's title.
How to Identify the Marks?
正宗的中国瓷器古董一直蜜蜂n chased by enthusiasts.The record pricefor a piece of antique china is $84,000,000.
However,estimating the value of genuine porcelainaccurately has never been easy. To learn how to estimate the value of the porcelain from its reign marks, extensive studies and comparisons between genuine examples are needed.
Things That Need to Be Remembered
There are many fakes, andlater copies have apocryphal marks. To tell the genuine ones from the copies has never been easy. Abundant experience and knowledge of the porcelain and its history are needed.
If you try to purchase a pieceas a collection item, it's better togetan evaluation from the experts.
Porcelain Tours
Experience Chinese porcelain culture with China Highlights.
Tour the 'Porcelain Capital', Jingdezhen:Jingdezhen Ceramics Museumis the first of its kind — the most important systematic and holistic exhibition of 2,000 years of glorious achievements in Chinese ceramics.
Recommended porcelain museums for more information:
- The Palace Museum: It is also known as the Forbidden City. It was built in the Ming Dynasty era and is the world's largest and best-preserved palace complex. Lots of imperial porcelain is housed in the Palace Museum.
- Shanghai Museum: The Shanghai Museum is famous for its large collection of rare cultural pieces. The museum has over 120,000 precious historical relics including Chinese ceramics.
