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All images and items are owned by Lizzie's Antique Parlour, and are not to be copied or duplicated in any way, shape or manner.  Thank you ~ The Proprietess.  Copyright July 2, 2003-06.  All rights reserved. Site Design By:  BBoss Web Design House

All images and items are owned by Lizzie's Antique Parlour, and are not to be copied or duplicated in any way, shape or manner.  Thank you ~ The Proprietess.  Copyright July 2, 2003-06.  All rights reserved. Site Design By:  BBoss Web Design House

Men's Jewelry l Children's Jewelry l Ladies Jewelry Broochs l Bracelets l Pendants l Rings l Necklaces l Cameos l Costume Jewelry l Vintage Jewelry l Watches Purses l  Mesh l Beaded l Whiting & Davis Clothing l Men's l Ladies l Children l Doll Antique Childrens Toys & Books Glassware l Figurines l Dishware l Vases l Porcelains l Plates l Cut Glass l Head Vases  l Metalware l  Blue Willow  l  Staffordshire  l  Perfume Bottles l Atomizers l Crystal l Cut Glass l Figurine Pictures l Prints l Authentic Paintings l Reproduction Paintings l Hand Drawn Sketches Antique Tools l Antique Ranch Equipment   l   Antique Dr. Tools   l   Antique Equipment Antique Asian Marks  l  Asian Art Site Map                    Antique Care & Cleaning                    Check Email FANCY'S FLORALS HOUSE OF RAINS

Lizzie's Antique Parlour Presents

Asian Porcelain & Pottery Marks & Information

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When collecting any Asian antique or art there is much that you should know.  On this page we will try to condense the vast information and marks for Oriental / Asian pottery & porcelain, cloisonne, bronze vessels and more, to help guide you in your collection of this ultra fine and fragile area.  This includes Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Tibetan pottery wares that were shipped to America in the late 1700's.  We will begin with Chinese...

Chinese Porcelain Patterns   l   Chinese Dynasties & Periods   l   Chinese Marks   l   Chinese Snuff Bottles   l  Archaic Bronze   l   Chinese Cloisonne  l   Japanese Marks   l  Japanese Pottery Types   l   Japanese Porcelain Terms   l   Imari    l   Japanese Cloisonne   l   Tibetan Antiques   l   Oriental Antiques on Ebay

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In the west, the introduction of Chinese export porcelain dates from the late 17th century, during the K'ang Hsi period, and was introduced in Europe by the Portuguese.  Shortly after 1784, blue and white porcelain was shipped to America.

Chinese Porcelain & Pottery; Patterns; Glazes; etc.
Canton Blue & White	Flourished in the 18th-19th Centuries.  No production 1839-1850 because of opium wars.  Oatmeal Canton refers to porcelain that has ash embedded in ware from being closer to the fire (shielding the better-quality pieces).  Motifs incorporate an island, bridges, trees, birds, mountains, rocks, figures, clouds, boats, and a river.
Canton Blue & White Border	"Rain and clouds" pattern.  Blue & white lattice outer border, sometimes overworked with a star pattern, and an inner wavy lined pattern.  These wavy lines are called "clouds", enclose a diagonal lined pattern called "rain".
Nanking Blue & White	"Nanking"- term used by English to denote better-quality Canton blue & white.  Ultimately, the motifs are very similar, and the main difference in Canton & Nanking is the border.
Nanking Blue & White Border	Diapered outer edge, sometimes with a geometric, diamond based pattern, and contains an inner border of spearheads.
Fitzhugh	Pattern found in red, sepia, blue, orange, green and black, but basic Fitzhugh is blue & white.  Often patterns are gilt outlined.  Circular medallion adorns the center.  Border is post & spear.  Often has 4 panels of floral designs, and wide broken border w/diaper pattern.
Armorial (heraldy)	Pattern export wares that date from end of K'ang Hsi period, c1695.  Designs were special ordered scenes replicated from English prints; ship motifs; figurines; animals; birds; etc.  Border patterns varied.
Famille Rose	End of 18th century became popular.  Styled after European mode of the times.  Patterns contained Chinese and Mandarin figures; animals & foul of all kinds were prominent.  Shapes included animal tureens and garniture sets comprised of 2 beaker shaped vases & 2-5 covered jars.  Most of the patterned wares date from the Chia Ch'ing period
Rose Medallion	Pattern contains alternating reserves of birds and or flowers and figures around a central floral medallion.  Most are decorated w/4 reserves.  The space between the reserves is filled with pink peony blossoms and green tendrils on a gilt ground.
Rose Canton	Same as Rose Medallion except it has no figures.  The pattern has alternating reserves of butterflies and flowers.
Rose & Long Life	Pattern with one large peony with a bird perched on a branch.
100 Butterflies	Butterflies on a gilt or celadon ground.  Pattern dates from last half of 19th Century.
Auspicious Figures	4 figures alternate w/ clusters of Taoist or Buddhist symbols.  Symbols radiate like spokes of a wheel around center figure medallion.
Butterfly & Cabbage	Butterfly lighting upon a cabbage leaf.  Cabbage leaves radiate from center medallion of the Shou symbol.
Tobacco Leaf	As name suggests.
Garden	In center, a segment of a garden; there is also lots of open space.
Dragon & Chrysanthemum	Dates from the Kuang Hsu period.  Contains orange dragons & white chrysanthemums on turquoise or yellow ground.
Bouquet	Center motif of floral bouquet with or without trailing ribbons and bows, surrounded by open space.
Rose Mandarin	Most expensive of rose palette.  Mandarin figures in various poses w/scenic landscapes & riverscapes.  Border of fruit, flowers, butterflies and foliage (or combination of).
Chinese Imari	Dates from 18th century.  Glaze has a gray, greenish or bluish tint, and usually a brown or reddish brown foot rim (where glaze stops)  Red in Chinese Imari is coral hue; the blue never runs, and is always crisp and lighter than Japanese Imari.  Bears no evidence of spur marks.
Blanc de Chine	"Porcelain w/white glaze" was first produced during Ming Dynasty.  Color varies from stark white to greenish white w/shades in between, with rose tinted being the best.  To determine rose tint, shine flashlight on interior of item, and it will show through the glaze and be visible on exterior.

Besides determining which pattern you may have, another more important question is "when was it made?"  Luckily, the Chinese have been signing and recording their wares since the beginning, and can be followed on a timeline of dynasties.  However, the marks have been copied down through time as well, so every collector should be wary.

Ming Dynasty:  1368-1643. This was never exported to America.  We have added it as it is the most highly sought after in collecting Chinese pottery and porcelain. First to produce porcelain with white glaze (blance de Chine) Click photos to see an enlarged view.

  

K'ang Hsi (Kangxi) Period:  1666-1723.  Introduced Famille verte-green, Famille noire-black, and famille jaune-yellow.  3 color ware on biscuit and Canton & Nanking Blue & white were also synonymous with his reign.

Yung Cheng (Yongzheng) Period:  1723-1736.  Pink color of the famille rose was used.  Designs are less crowded and abundantly decorated with floral and birds.  Less pronounced foot, but sharper rim.  Paste is smooth, white and quite fine.  Enamels are shiny and very clear, and glaze is whiter than K'ang Hsi period.  Marks include 4 or 6 characters, sometimes in double square with canted corners

Ch'ien Lung (Qianlong) Period:  1736-1796.  Introduced pale lime green, painting in sepia and imitations in porcelain of wood grains, lacquer, bronze and silver.  European green on interior, inside rim or foot.  Invented moving picture pottery (vase w/rotating inner core painted with scenes.  Features pure white paste w/smooth base rim.  Colors are vibrant.  The glaze is translucent white or orange-peel glaze (rippled effect).  Marks are either 4 or 6 characters within a double square w/ canted corners.  These have been copied extensively.

Chia Ch'ing (Jiaqing) Period:  1796-1820.  A distinguishing characteristic is sand grit is often found in the glaze (in & around foot rim) and the pottery is more thick walled.  Introduced Canton Rose pattern which is still reproduced today.

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Chinese Marks

Chinese 6 character reign marks are written in 3 vertical rows.  Other Chinese marks include hallmarks, maker's marks, place marks, commendation marks and symbols.  Some take the form of 6 characters written in 2 horizontal rows.  Refer to photos above for Ming & Chi'ing Dynasty marks.

Written in standard script, Chinese marks were mostly done in underglaze blue.  They can also be found in pink, red, gold, orange, and so on.  Seal marks were written with a brush and seldom were stamped.  Incised and stamped marks are most commonly found on monochromatic wares.

In 1891 the McKinley Tariff Act was instated, requiring items imported into the United States to be marked in English with the country of origin.  Still many wares went unmarked, or marked in Chinese.

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Chinese Snuff Bottles

During the 17th Century, the taking of snuff (ground tobacco) became popular among the Chinese, as it was considered medicinal, where as smoking tobacco was not acceptable.  Soon the snuff bottle became based on the concept of the yao ping (Chinese medicine bottle), and were made out of every sort of material from stone to wood, ceramic to lacquer.

 In the late 19th Century, the snuff bottle became a cabinet bottle, and was purchased for collecting.  Many were not well hollowed and the motifs were flamboyant.  Bottles were not always available with their original cap or spoon, and still do not affect the values today, which are high.

The photo to the right is of the Chinese dates that may be found on the inside of the painted snuff bottles, and correspond with the marks below.  The painting on the inside of the glass was highly specialized and vary in motifs with scenes, to individuals with symbols.  The inside painted are the most highly prized snuff bottles today.

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Among collectors of Asian antiques, the archaic bronze vessels from China are considered the ultimate in Chinese art. 

Emperor Huang Ti, the Yellow Emperor (2852-2597 BC) is recorded to have conceived the idea of casting metal.  However, the first cast bronze vessels are accredited to Emperor Yu, the 5th emperor to follow Huang Ti.  Yu's reign saw the production of the tripod, 3 legged cauldrons of bronze.  Eventually, the tripod became a symbol of Imperial power.  Most sought after are the vessels of the Shang/Yin era as they were produced for religious and court ceremonies, as well as domestic, and helped determine the rank of a family.

The following types are from the Shang/Yin to Han Dynasties (1525 BC-220 AD) and have served as models for countless copies throughout the centuries.

Li.  Tripod vessel with hollow legs and most ancient of pottery forms; having 2 upright loop handles through which a stick could be passed for lifting.  Used for cooking meat.

Ting.  Similar to Li, but with solid legs.  Refered to in early Chinese dictionaries as "sacred vessel for blending the five tastes (acid, sour, salt, bitter, and sweet), a vessel for cooking food, or for boiling well cooked food.

Hsien.  Really 2 vessels: steamer, formed like a li, w/upper part consisting of a colander w/handles.  Used for cooking vegetables and cereals.

Kuei.  Bowl, with or without a cover, sometimes with handles, resting on 3 or 4 feet, or hollow base.  Used as grain container.

Tou.  A shallow dish-w/handles and cover-on a round base. Used for offering fruit.  Cover served as a foot when inverted.

Fu.  Rectangular covered dish w/straight, sloping sides, sometimes w/4 feet.  Used for cooked cereals.  Cover near duplicate of bowl.

Hsu.  Shallow oval dish w/handles & cover.  Many are inscribed "Traveling Hsu", used during expeditions.

I.  A ewer used for pouring water, often shaped like sauce boat.  "I" also general term for sacrificial vessel.

Kuang.  Squat, elongated vessel w/ handle at back and cover extending over an open spout.  Also shaped like sauce boat, but larger than I.

Hu.  Large wine vessel w/ bulbous body, narrow neck, and usually, ring handles.  Used for storing food.

Lei.  Large vase for storing wine.

Tsun.  Ceremonial wine vessel that is rectangular w/ flaring lip.

Chia.  Round tripod, or square & 4 legged, vessel w/handle on side and 2 uprights on the lip.  Legs are hollow so that maximum heat exposure is accomplished.

 

 

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Web www.artisticwaterways.com

Japanese Ceramics

The Japanese have been producing fine ceramics since we started marking time. The only difference in the export wares that came from China and Japan, is the Japanese wares were more specialized.

 I.E. Chinese made everything for tea, whereas the Japanese may have specialized in a certain tea cup.  Where the Chinese invented assembly line mass production, the Japanese had 'master potters', changing his signature as he went.

Japanese marks are more numerous, and they can indicate the name of the factory, the potter, the decorator, the pattern, the customer, the exporter, the importer or maybe just say "Made in Japan", "Japan", "Nippon", "Happiness" or "Good luck" in any number of ways.  There are so many marks and signatures to decipher that it can become a daunting task.   One of the best sites out there on Japanese pottery marks is http://www.gotheborg.com/marks/index_jap_marks.htm, and it is well worth your time, and the $1 donation to research your Japanese items!

       

  

Japanese Porcelain & Pottery Marks

Japanese marks and seals include maker's names, date marks, and place marks.  Many of these were copied and forged throughout time.  Even Chinese reign marks were copied and are found on Japanese Imari wares.  Basically, if the Japanese characters for Dai Ni Hon (Dai Nippon) appear in the mark, the object was produced no earlier than 1868.

Regarding dates, the following period names are the ones most commonly met with: The period 1603-1867 (commonly referred to as the Edo period) is roughly split into early, middle or late Edo. The Edo period is followed by Meiji (1868-1912), Taisho (1913-1926), Showa (1926-1988) where "early Showa" is often used to cover the Showa reign before 1945, and Heisei (1988-today).

The marks are normally read from top to bottom, and right to left. Signatures are usually followed by a suffix, for example Sei, tsukuru or saku all meaning "made", or Ga, Dzu or Fude meaning "painted" or "drawn". Then there are place names, Satsuma, Kutani, Seto etc. To read these requires references such as a good Japanese/English dictionary such as Nelsons.

The following terms describe various pottery:

Satsuma porcelains - mainly produced in and around the city of Kagoshima in Kyushu. Wares of this type are finished in ivory lustre with fine crackles. They have a picture of a number of artisans sitting at the traditional low Japanese tables hand painting vases.

Arita porcelains - produced in the prefecture of Saga, also in Kyushu.  Many Imari pieces are actually arita, they were simply shipped from the Imari port.

Kutani porcelains - produced in the prefecture of Ishikawa in the Hokuiku district of Honshu (Japanese main island) On the whole Kutani porcelains are characterized by their elaborate picture decorations in thick gold, red, blue and some other colors.

Rakuyaki of Kyoto has been closely connected with tea ceremonies since olden days.

Porcelain wares well-known as Awata-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki are among the souvenirs of Kyoto.

The province of Owari with Nagoya as its commercial and industrial metropolis, is the greatest ceramic centre so far as the amount of products . . . Owari produces so many varieties of porcelain and stoneware that the Japanese familiarly speak of porcelain and pottery in general as "setomono" after the village of the same name in this province. (Seto)

Bizen ware (Okayama Preferecture) characterized by their peculiarly humorous figures of gods, birds and beasts

Banko wares (Mie Prefecture) which are mostly unglazed

Awaji wares (Awaji island) monochromatic with a bright yellow or green glaze

Soma pottery (Fukushima Prefecture) on which a picture of a horse is usually seen.

Marks on export porcelain: In 1891 the McKinley Tariff Act was instated, requiring items imported into the United States to be marked in English with the country of origin. The name "Nippon" was chosen for items coming from Japan. (Nippon is the Japanese name for Japan.) In 1921, the official country of origin name requirement was changed to "Japan", thus creating a defined time period 1891-1921 in which wares were marked Nippon. Previous to 1891, items were either not marked at all, or marked with Japanese characters. During the period 1921-1941 porcelain should be marked "Japan" and roughly after 1941, marked "Made in Japan", though numerous exceptions appear to occur. Pieces marked with JAPAN or MADE IN JAPAN in plain text without any company marks, in general date to the period immediately after the second WW. Some come with the addition of OCCUPIED JAPAN.

 

Imari      

 Porcelain was produced in Arita for the first time in 1616 under the control by the feudal lord of Nabeshima, or the present Saga Prefecture. Arita ware is also called Imari ware because the products of the Arita kiln were mainly shipped from a nearby port of Imari. Arita porcelains of the early days were typically made in the Chinese style of the period, with deep-blue patterns on a white background, called sometsuke = "blue-and-white". In the 1640s, a new style called aka-e" was invented, characterized by bright colors and bold patterns principally in red. These two styles, "sometsuke" and "aka-e," dominate Japanese "Arita/Imari" wares. The products of the 17th and 18th centuries are typically called "Ko-imari" (old Imari) and "Ko-sometsuke" (old blue-and-white).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            

Web www.artisticwaterways.com

 

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Cloisonne

The creation of a cloisonne object begins with bending and hammering a sheet of metal into the desired shape.  The artist then paints the design onto the metal sheet.  Then wires are bent into shapes and placed against the metal to form the partitions, or cells, a layer of enamel (powdered glass) is sifted over them and gently fired to secure the wires in place.  Before firing begins, the cells must be packed with enamel in powdered form.  The colors of the fused enamel depends on the mixture of natural minerals, and the temperatures they are fired.

Chinese Cloisonne- Called Ch'ing tai-lan, after the period of the Ming Dynasty during which it was developed (1450-56).  It can have gold, bronze, brass, or copper bodies. It is often marked with a reign mark.

Japanese Cloisonne- More complicated than Chinese cloisonne.  The body can be of silver, copper, papier-mache, lacquer, pottery, porcelain, or brass, and may feature "counterenameling".  Can have factory marks and artists signature or seal.  Scenic & floral motifs were popular.

 

 

 

   

 

 

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