Chinese Ceramic Marks

For the first hundred years or so of porcelain production there were only two known pigments that could withstand the high firing temperature necessary.

Chinese ceramic marks.

See ming wilson rare marks on chinese ceramics london 1998 cat. 8 where a yellow glazed bowl with cranes bearing this mark is illustrated from the collection of the victoria and albert museum london. Most porcelain marks on fine antique china such as the meissen marks are underglaze meaning they were applied to the piece prior to firing. Iron red and cobalt blue.

This was a mark of respect to pay tribute to bygone emperors. As per usual any dates or marks on antique chinese porcelain should be be treated with utmost caution however it is my impression that dates found in poems or other inscriptions on porcelain from late 19th century until mid 20th century in most cases seems to be surprisingly correct. 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 marks that are also to be found on vessels throughout china s rich cultural heritage. When viewing pieces at auction these marks will be listed as apocryphal.

Marks found on chinese ceramics are significantly different from those on european antique ceramics. The most comprehensive reference book on chinese reign marks is gerald davison s the handbook of marks on chinese ceramics first published in 1994. Marks on antique porcelain differences between east and west.