@thomasumjohnsin,

Hi Thomas,

Did you buy this at auction, eBay or privately of I may ask?

I think it's from the late Qing period to very early republic period. So 1880 - 1920. Personally I am leaning towards late Qing based on the figures facial features and the overall quality. I will check my book on faces and get back to you shortly with my thoughts.

Very nicely painted. Not expertly painted by a master but still very good in my opinion.

These are very sought after by collectors. It's in very nice condition. It has a have written seal mark. One very good buy.  I like it very much so. 

It would be most beneficial to you to have the calligraphy deciphered.

Mark 

I think it is a little later than late Qing.  I don't have the book so  may be wrong but I feel the faces, hair and hands aren't right for an earlier date.  I also seem to recall seeing a vase on Gotheborg with a child with a similar rosy face which was deemed to be republic - if I am remembering correctly, this was a while back.

What an interesting head wear the girl (I think it is a girl) has.  I haven't seen that before, but it may help with dating.  

I did have a look at my Tommy Eklof book.

The styling is very much so in the late 18th to early 19th century. Especially with the lips being natural and in a distinct like bird in flight outline. On page 90 q13 2c.

The figures are depicted mostly from this period with open eyes with natural noses and ears. The faces are coloured with that sun tan look. Especially around the eye cavities.

So is it a early one or later product. The answer I believe rests with q19 2c on page 112 of the same book. 

There you will see very similar to the earlier ones in a tribute of sorts. The noticeable difference is the red cord in the hairdo that was very popular during the early republic period. And not so during the earlier periods.

Finally the red outlines are generally seen after about 1920 on republic period porcelain. Previously they were almost always done in black. I am referring to republican period porcelain here. Not earlier. 

So in conclusion I think it's circa 1920.

Still this is a very fine example. Better than most I have seen, that are hideous imo.

Of course this is just my opinion. I know that Birgit has the same book as I and probably is better at navigating than I am as I have only recently received it. So I hope she pops in with her thoughts. 

I like it very much!

Mark 

I seen this before on a republic period plaque. I remember it clearly because the one I saw the child’s head was large and bobble looking. If you research republic plaques I’m sure you will locate the one I’m referring to. So I agree with Mark on dating. But the way to determine if it’s earlier is to ask Yin or John Lee if the writing is in the style of the period. 

I would very much like to know what the calligraphy states. Hopefully it will or could indicate the artist.

I dont recognize the seal/read mark in red. But then again I am terrible at this. 😂

Mark 

The bitong is nicely rendered and in the manner of Qianlong period work made by master Tang Ying. So, one needs to approach assessment of age and authenticity very carefully.

First, you must confirm if this is a known design - this piece combines ‘boy’s day’, ‘partridge and millet’, calligraphy, and faux bois all together in a small square brush pot with a six character mark.

You should be able to find a known example of nearly the exact design.  I looked quickly, but nothing popped up.

I did notice the preferred mark for Tang Ying pieces is a four character mark, or no mark - just a seal included with the calligraphy.

Copies are too good these days to judge on appearances alone, so what’s the provenance?

If of the Qianlong period, the enamel work, as fine as the rendering might be, will have bubble bursts / rough texture in the blue green enamels because this color was a recent invention during the 18th c.. White and pink are opaque, and also prone to be applied thickly with bubble bursts.

Now, since the idea of it being Republic period seems a more plausible period that might explain inconsistencies in style, color, and wear, be advised the fakers are aware that Republic period pieces copied Qianlong styles, and they target buyers by creating plausibility that a piece could be Republic, and still be worth considerable money.

Personally, I think the turquoise color of the crouching boy is a bit off, the blues too dull, and the yellow too bright.

Dear Thomas,

I am sorry but your brush pot is not convincing.

The figures are out of proportion, the faces are unsuccessfully trying to imitate those sun tamed faces of the late 18^th century, the rocks and grass details are off, the faux bois too is off. Those enamels look very modern. I believe that it is a new piece.

Regards,

Giovanni

Dear Greeno we did post at the same time

@clayandbrush Yes we did!  Synchronicity! 😎 

@imperialfinegems @greeno107 @clayandbrush @julia @lotusblack

 wow, what a diverse range of opinions and thanks so much Mark, for going to the trouble of looking it up.  I've sent pictures to wolley and wallis, so I'll see what they say.  I don't think it's a modern copy, but it does seem to be in very good condition.  Since you say the red outlines are not seen so much in earlier pieces and the red cord on the hair was popular in the Republic period I think it's probably in that area.  I don't think it's new because of the fine crackles at the edge of the base where it has turned slightly yellow.  Thanks again everyone.  I am interested in translating the poem and working out what the stamp is.  I have a Chinese friend who will be happy to do this, but if anyone here speaks Chinese it would be interesting to know what it says.  I am of the opinion that the calligraphy is very good.  At least to me it looks exceptional and something that would have taken a long time to do, by an expert hand.  Also it's hard to appreciate how tiny the birds are, that are in the foreground, from the photos.

Here is the only brush pot with a similar mark (the red mark in a circle next to the poem) which I can find:

https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2011/fine-chinese-ceramics-and-works-of-art-hk0363/lot.2068.html

Brian, I agree, they do have a bobble-head appearance!  This, below, isn't the piece I was thinking of earlier, but it is similar. The children also have the ribbons as in the piece under discussion. Pastel colours are quite a republic thing as well but whether it is a genuine piece or later copy, I don't know. This is the Christie's one.

https://www.christies.com/en/lot/lot-6073054

I also came across similar children on a genuine Qianlong vase, their heads are less bobbly and they have no ribbons; there is definitely a similarity of style, but I don't think the one we are discussing is a direct copy of an 18th c piece, although it arguably pays tribute.  

http://www.alaintruong.com/archives/2018/05/30/36447188.html

I would like to find another depiction of the headdress I mentioned earlier, as yet no luck.

I would be very interested in what W&W have to say about this pot.

It's all very interesting to read both Giovanni and greeno thoughts. 

The faux Bois is off. But that was typical of republican examples. The turquoise is almost bluish which again is very typical. The boys facial expressions are typically republican. 

But the fakers today know all this. And use this to their advantage. However of the limited number of the new copies that I have seen they all appear to be very stark and sharp. 

The one thing that does bother me is the gilt. There appears to be no wear at all. As does the whole pot. If it's genuine gild gilt and not just gold paint then I think I am correct. But I have been wrong many times before. 

Mark 

@julia you found the example I was referring to. That’s the bobble head child. Lol

Yes it’s probably modern, a mixture of Qianlong faces and Republic elements. For me the giveaway is the subject. A boy and a girl (wearing a cap I haven’t seen before) are feeding a sparrow. Though nicely done it is a modern and rather Western topic to me. As if someone wanted to paint something cute on the vase. It’s neither a Qianlong nor a Republic picture in my eyes.