Chinese Ceramic Marks Identification

Chinese antique porcelain identification top.

Chinese ceramic marks identification. See a comparison of chinese and non chinese marks. Chinese porcelain reign marks identification. For any piece of fine china the porcelain mark is a symbol of pride in the manufacturer s workmanship. 10 understand this understand this is a difficult process and there are no shortcuts to becoming familiar with chinese porcelain marks.

Some marks look like a circle square bird or animal shape etc. Pottery marks identification guide index a collection of pottery marks using photos and images from our antique collection. Marks on chinese porcelain pieces are even and regular while marks on japanese porcelain will include an odd number and may be in different colors. The most comprehensive reference book on chinese reign marks is gerald davison s the handbook of marks on chinese ceramics first published in 1994.

The shende tang was completed in 1831 thus making daoguang pieces with this mark attributable to the two decades between 1831 and 1850. Marks of earlier periods have been used throughout almost the history of chinese porcelain. It lists around 1 800 marks including all the major ming 1368 1644 and qing 1644 1911 dynasty imperial reign marks in addition to the many studio marks hall marks and myriad miscellaneous. See ming wilson rare marks on chinese ceramics london 1998 cat.

Marks with letters are listed in alphabetical order. Porcelain marks are the fingerprints of antique china. Serving as both evidence of its origin age and often times quality the makers mark on a porcelain item is the first place many collectors look before making a purchase. Reign marks can play a pivotal role in helping to identify the period in which chinese artefacts were created.

Experts in chinese antiques understand what different marks represent including the era they denote. 8 where a yellow glazed bowl with cranes bearing this mark is illustrated from the collection of the victoria and albert museum london. For easy reference and as a quick guide to the possible attribution of your latest porcelain collectible or pottery marks. Identifying chinese porcelain involves more than just knowing the mark in order to decide age and manufacturer as many novices do believe.

Identify a mark by shape. Almost at the same time that the chinese invented porcelain they also invented marks and copies sometimes to learn sometimes to honor sometimes to deceive sometimes to replace sometimes just to meet a demand. Reign marks are usually four or six characters in length and can be found on the base or the side of an item.