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I picked up this 9 1/2” tall famille verte vase today! My photos are not great, but the vase has all the features of genuine Kangxi, so I feel comfortable with the Kangxi period.
So, my question is regarding the use of apocryphal marks in the Kangxi period…
Is the quality of Kangxi wares with apocryphal marks on par with mark and period wares from other Qing periods? We know the reason for the apocryphal marks in the Kangxi was by imperial decree, not because of quality, which is different in other Qing periods.
Or, should all Kangxi period pieces with apocryphal marks be judged simply as any other non-mark & period piece?
There are many examples of Kangxi period pieces with apocryphal marks in the major auction houses that seem to show very strong sales results, but the examples they accepted into auction were exceptional in quality among a much wider group of lesser quality pieces.
Thoughts?
My opinion on Kangxi apocryphal marks is that they were placed on current wares of decent quality in homage to previous times of ceramic excellence. I don’t think they would show up on Imperial wares. I think the 19th practice of placing 18th century reign marks was similar until they started using them to fool foreigners.
By the way, nice vase!
Apocryphal marks mostly show up in the Kangxi era but can also sometimes be found in other 18th century reigns. For example, this Yongzheng meiping has a Ming mark.
Tim, are the faces on your vase outlined in black? I can't quite see.
Regarding reign marks, I was looking for the theme on your vase and found this - taken from A Culture Revealed (Stamen, Volk, Ni):
@julia Thank you! That's very interesting...I never knew that, but that does confirm what I had suspected, which is that while not a Kangxi mark, the quality of this Kangxi vase is certainly good enough to be, but due to the edict, they put a Chenghua mark.
@william That's a very interesting vase! When we were discussing my big green bowl with the blue & white lotus bouquet design on the inside, I think we stuck our toe into the discussion on the use of apocraphyl marks during the 18th c. Certainly far less common then in the Kangxi period.
So, do you consider your crane meiping vase on the same level of quality as other Yongzheng mark and period pieces of the same style? How did Marchant assess its quality (if at all)?
Hi Tim, Julia and William and all -
Jiajing and Chenghua six/four character reign marks are very commonly seen on Kangxi period wares ...
Wanli and Xuande marks are also know although these are less oftern seen. The Xuande mark is usually, although no always, found on the higher quality pieces ...
William is quite correct, apocryphal Ming marks continued to be used into the 18th century. I have seen Xuande, Hongzhi, Zhengde and Jiajing marks, both incised and underglaze blue, on high quality Kangxi wares, and Xuande and Jiajing marks on Yongzheng pieces ...
Stuart
Tim,
I have some interesting research regarding this vase. First, there is specific meaning to the encircling decoration of two peach clusters (longevity) and two cranes (harmonious marriage).
I do think this was part of a run of this type of decoration that was comprised of both Imperial production and commercial production. Notice the small bump on my example which to my mind indicates a slightly lower level of quality control. The attached link to a 2011 Bonhams auction shows a similar meiping of this style from the similar Imperial production run. The Yonzheng emperor was extraordinary strict with non-imperial use of his reign mark.
https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/18981/lot/53/
As for Marchant’s opinion of the meiping, his mark & period Imperial pieces back in the 1990’s ranged into the high multiples of thousands of pounds. I know my budget at that time when shopping in London for 18th Chinese porcelain was less than £2000 so his opinion was reflected in the price point. This was of course before the entry of the mainland Chinese into the antique porcelain market.
@william Picky picky emperor! The vase is really delicate in form and decor. Prior to your post, I’ve never seen this type of diluted design under white glaze.
It reminds me of how the faint silhouette of mountains sometimes pierce through dense fog… fleeting and rather mystical.
I’ve seen anhua pieces with hidden designs, but not this.
I think the subtle beauty of your vase is quite unlike the popular Qing ‘over the top’ style. I imagine in the 90’s you had a lot of choices for the money… why this piece?
Do I remember correctly… you’ve been collecting 40 years? Would you share what was your inspiration to start?
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Kangxi vases, Kangxi dishes and chargers, Kangxi ritual pieces, Kangxi scholar's objects, Qianlong famille rose, Qianlong enamels, Qianlong period paintings, Qianlong Emporer's court, Fine porcelain of the Yongzheng period. Chinese imperial art, Ming porcelain including Jiajing, Wanli, Xuande, Chenghua as well as Ming jades and bronzes.
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