Chinese Ceramic Hallmarks

Inscriptions and marks of varying types appeared on chinese pottery and porcelain with increasing frequency from the tang dynasty 618 906 ce through to the republic in the early years of the 20th century.

Chinese ceramic hallmarks.

Probably the best example for this is the porcelain made during the late qing dynasty. Porcelain marks are the fingerprints of antique china. Reign marks should be studied alongside the many different variations of hallmarks auspicious marks potters marks and symbols that you find on the bases of chinese porcelain throughout the ages. It is really interesting to note how the chinese translate the republic period hallmarks.

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. Today chinese porcelain items with marks you may find or purchase are more likely fakes or newer items than authentic antiques. A useful reference book is the handbook of marks on chinese ceramics gerald davison london 1994. Understand this is a difficult process and there are no shortcuts to becoming familiar with chinese porcelain marks.

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. In the world of ming and qing dynasty art knowing how to look at a reign mark is a key asset for any collector specialist or enthusiast to correctly identify the date and the value of a piece of chinese porcelain. In the translations of several chinese language books on chinese ceramics hallmarks such as ju ren tang zhi or da de tang zhi are variously translated as made in ju ren tang when the chinese pinyin is usually translated into english or ju ren tang shop. 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.

If you would like my personal help or opinion on something there is a possibility to email me a question send any number of pictures you like and help support the site at the same time. Marks of earlier periods have been used throughout almost the history of chinese porcelain. From imperial marks to the many hall and auspicious marks used by scholars collectors potters and artists this is the essential book for all professional buyers collectors and. When repairing ceramic objects knowing it s origin and value is important prior to proceeding with investing in a repair.

The best way to distinguish a fake from a real piece is to. 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.