How do you identify Chinese pottery marks?

The traditional six-figure configuration of hallmarks is read top to bottom, right to left. In general, the first two characters are reign marks, the second two are emperor marks and the last two direct placement. In the case of four-character marks, the reign marks are usually the ones omitted.

How can I tell if my Chinese porcelain is antique?

Most ancient Chinese porcelain features blue decoration on a white base. There are many shades of blue, though. China imported different dyes at different times and had varying access to domestic shades. An expert will be able to check the colours used on a piece of porcelain, and pair them up to the shape.

Do all Chinese vases have markings?

Many oriental ceramic objects have marks, a mark might declare that the piece was made at a certain period. However, identifying the mark can give a misleading impression of the period the object was made in. For example, there are many pieces of blue and white porcelain with the mark of the Ming emperor Chenghua.

What is a Qianlong mark?

Marks on Chinese porcelain pieces most commonly display the dynasty and the reign during its time of production. For example, this Qianlong mark of the period reads Da大, great; Qing 清, Qing (dynasty); Qianlong乾隆，reign (emperor); Nian年, year or period; Zhi制, produced.

How do I identify a Chinese vase?

In order to properly identify a Chinese vase, one must understand the production process. Pernettes are, for example, supports that allow Chinese vases to avoid touching each other and not sticking to the kiln during firing. Some of them are more or less visible and important over the different centuries.

How do I identify a Ming vase?

Ming Dynasty Markings

Vases were marked and these Ming dynasty vase markings – usually on the base of the piece – denoted that it was commissioned for the Emperor or for the Imperial household. The tradition carried on through the Ming and into the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911).

How much is a Qianlong vase worth?

Last month, the vase, which dates to the Qianlong dynasty (1735–1799), sold in a Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction for just over $9 million.

How do you read Chinese marks?

How do you read a reign mark? Reign marks are most commonly written in vertical columns and are read from top to bottom, and from right to left. It is thought that this system of reading and writing grew from ancient Chinese traditions of writing on vertical strips of bamboo or bone.

What is a Ming vase worth?

The experts came back with good news, revealing that the bowl is thought to be worth between $300,000 and $500,000. In fact, it is believed to be one of only seven such bowls in existence and most of the others are in museums.

How do I identify Qianlong porcelain?

Qianlong seal marks tend to be written or incised, and can be executed in underglaze blue, iron-red, or gilt. Both guanyao and minyao pieces can bear these marks, and what separates the two is the quality of the porcelain and the finesse of the decoration and the mark.

How do I find my old Chinese markings?

Tips for Determining Type
  1. Hold the china up to the light. According to Noritake, bone china will be significantly more translucent than other types of porcelain. …
  2. Examine the color. Noritake also notes that the color of bone china tends to be more ivory than white. …
  3. Listen to the piece.

Why are Ming vases so valuable?

The Ming dynasty was known for its wealth, cultural expansion and vases. But, what made its porcelain so valuable? … But it was the improved enamel glazes of the early Qing dynasty, fired at a higher temperature, that acquired a more brilliant look than those of the Ming dynasty.

What is the most expensive vase ever sold?

A Chinese imperial yangcai revolving phoenix vase that dates back to the 18th century auctioned off in Beijing a few days ago has renewed the record as the most valuable ceramic vessel. It realized a staggering RMB 265.7m (US$41.6m), eclipsing the previous record held by a ru-ware brush washer sold four years ago.

How do I know if my vase is worth anything?

Look for a mark on the bottom of the vase. Marks may reflect the name of the company that made the vase, as well as the name of its designer. When the vase has a company name and an artist’s name, it may be worth more than if it simply has a company name. Marks may be inked, painted or engraved into the bottom.

How do I sell old Chinese porcelain?

The Best Places To Sell Your Chinese Pottery And Porcelain
  1. Auction. Auction houses are a popular place to try and sell niche items, including Chinese antique pottery. …
  2. Dealer. The next place most sellers consider is a professional dealer. …
  3. Collector. …
  4. Ebay. …
  5. Consignment.

What makes a vase expensive?

Why Is Porcelain So Expensive? Porcelain needs to be fired at a much higher temperature than other soft-paste, usually called artificial porcelain and that makes the process more difficult and expensive to produce. According to CBC.ca the most expensive porcelain in the World worth a fortune.

How do I know if I have a Satsuma vase?

It is rare to find copies or fake satsuma, but a few things to look for when buying are: Earthenware pottery – All Satsuma is earthenware. You can tell it from porcelain by the weight. Pottery will be heavier, thicker and more dense.

How can you tell if a vase is porcelain?

The easiest way to identify porcelain figurines as opposed to earthenware or stoneware figurines is to examine the piece. Porcelain figurines have a delicate, fragile quality to them and are somewhat translucent, whereas, stoneware or earthenware figurines are not.

What is a Nippon mark?

Nippon basically means “made in Japan.” When you see a “Nippon” mark on the underside of a base of a piece of ceramic, you know that you have a piece that was made in Japan.

Are Japanese Satsuma vases valuable?

Satsuma Pottery in the Market Today

While the Japanese Satsuma vase is one of the most popular objects in the field, any work from this period tends to be quite valuable today.

What does the Satsuma mark look like?

Whatever the Satsuma mark used, many Satsuma pieces include the Shimazu clan mark, a red, hand-painted circle with a cross inside (like the crosshairs in a gunsight). If you do have a piece that you suspect is genuine Satsuma, there are many on-line Satsuma resources that can help you identify the mark.

How do you identify a Kutani?

Kutani Marks

The marks at the bottom of each Kutani piece are often hand-painted. However, you will also find pieces where an artist decides to engrave or emboss a mark at the bottom. Impressed and incised marks are not as common as hand-painted ones. Many Kutani pieces do not have any mark or are simply marked Kutani.

What is the difference between Moriage and Satsuma?

Moriage is a slip decoration of raised enamels. It occurs on Satsuma wares as early as circa 1890 but tends to be more carefully applied on early pieces. Moriage also seems to be limited to pieces made outside of the Satsuma domain while being typical for Kyoto Satsuma ware.