If you have a Chinese vase, you might be wondering how to tell if it is valuable. These ancient Chinese ceramics were made during different dynasties, which means that they will vary in style. Chinese ceramics are produced at different kiln sites, and these differences can make it difficult to tell which ones are authentic. This article will help you distinguish between a modern counterfeit and a valuable antique.
NIPPON mark
A NIPPON mark is a useful indicator that an item is Japanese. This mark is commonly found on the underside base of many items. Authentic pieces of Japanese porcelain can sell for several thousand dollars. The value of an item depends on many factors including its condition, decoration, rarity, and the sophistication of the buyer. A Nippon mark on a Chinese vase is valuable for several reasons.
The first way to determine whether a Chinese vase has the Nippon mark is to research the vase online. You can search for “Nippon mark” on Google and get pages of results. If the vase is marked “Nippon,” it was made between 1891 and 1921. If the vase is marked with “Japan,” it was produced after that date. Many fake pieces bear the Nippon mark but don’t match the authentic versions.
Another way to tell if a vase has the NIPPON mark is to examine the decoration. Some Nippon vases have moriage ware, which is a highly textural and time-consuming technique. In addition, some Nippon artists enhanced their pieces with a textile before firing them. The textile burns away during the firing process, but the porcelain retains the pattern.
A Nippon mark on a Chinese vase can help you determine the quality of the piece. This mark may be inked or painted or may be engraved. The mark is usually four or six characters long. The mark may be located on the base, on the rim, or anywhere else. A Chinese vase that has this mark is likely valuable and worth looking for. If it does, you should purchase it!
Guangxu reign mark
If you’re looking to purchase a rare Chinese vase, then you should know what to look for. The Guangxu reign mark can help you distinguish a genuine vase from a fake. This mark is typically located on the base or mouth of the vase. In addition, it will be found on most Qing porcelain bowls, which were made for the emperor’s household. These pieces will generally be of the highest quality. Despite their popularity, however, many makers copy previous reign marks and names, often for financial reasons.
The Guangxu reign mark is composed of six characters. The first character in the mark is ‘da’, followed by ‘qing’, ‘nian’, and ‘zhi’. This mark is positioned on the neck of the vase, and is usually inscribed in a cartouche. The second character is ‘yue’, while the third character is ‘jiao’.
The Guangxu reign mark can be found on most Chinese vases. A richly-decorated temple vase from 1351 is an example of this type. The Percival David Foundation in London houses an exquisite pair of temple vases. While the finest examples of Guangxu vases were made for the court, many of these pieces were also made for export to Europe and the Middle East.
The reign mark is a way to determine the era of a piece. It can be a very useful tool to date a Chinese vase. The Guangxu reign mark on a Chinese vase tells you the emperor and dynasty in which the piece was made. These inscriptions are often written in cobalt blue underglaze. Other Chinese dynasties used strips of bamboo or bone to write the emperor’s name.
Numbers
Antique Chinese vases often contain a series of numbers or a logo. These symbols may represent a company name or a logo of an artist. They may also be a trademark, a manufacturer’s name, or a combination of letters and symbols. These numbers, when combined with the era and condition of the vase, can help determine its value. However, if you have no idea about the meaning of these symbols, you should consult an expert.
The bottom of the vase should be padded for protection. Look for marks, such as ink, painted, or engraved. If the signature is faded, it could be an antique. Also, porcelain vases will be marked with the maker’s mark, while silver vases will bear a hallmark, usually accompanied by the factory name. The maker’s mark can also help you identify the year of manufacture.
An overmark is another way to confirm the authenticity of a Chinese vase. It indicates the maker’s original mark and generally dates the vase to around 1880. After 1921, Japanese manufacturers began using the JAPAN mark to identify their products. A mark placed at the base of a vase may also indicate its maker, or at least the manufacturer’s name. Although a Chinese vase can be made in China, the manufacturer’s mark is the best way to verify its authenticity.
The quality of the decoration is another important way to determine its value. Chinese vases with a high quality seal mark are highly valuable and can fetch up to PS1.5 million at an auction. A few centuries ago, the seller’s father bought it for only a few hundred pounds. The seller, who worked as a surgeon, kept the vase in the kitchen for decades before it was discovered by a collector.
Dots
One of the ways to determine if your Chinese vase is valuable is to check for the number of dots on the bottom. If the number is higher than the rest, the vase may be an antique. Likewise, if it is lower, it could be a reproduction. You can identify the date and manufacturer from the overmark. In addition, you can check to see if the vase is marked with an overmark.
If you’re unsure of the age of a vase, check to see if it is inscribed with a maker’s signature or logo. A maker’s mark is often inked, painted, or engraved, and is a good way to verify its authenticity. Check for an inscription on the base as well. If the decoration is made of crackles, the vase is probably an antique. However, be careful because some dealers try to imitate the look of an ancient vase with a fake maker’s mark.
Another way to tell if a Chinese vase is valuable is to check its signature. Antique Chinese vases are usually signed on the back, and signatures vary from one period to another. Signed pieces are generally older, but some are unsigned. If the signature is missing, it could be a fake. However, even if the signatures are original, the quality of the decoration is one way to distinguish valuable pieces from those made by newer artists.
Another way to determine if your Chinese vase is valuable is to look for a mark that was used to indicate the period of the imperial reign. Sometimes, the marks on the vases are copied from another dynasty out of respect for that period. These are called apocryphal marks, and do not necessarily devalue a piece. However, if the markings are too small, you should not worry because this does not reduce its value.
Design
To find out how valuable a Chinese vase is, you should learn how it was made. Porcelain is characterized by a glass-like coating, or glaze, which was used to decorate Chinese ceramics. The glaze used in Chinese pottery varied from dynasty to dynasty, but the basic ingredients used in its production were kaolin, bone, ash, and quartz. If you find a Chinese vase that is older than two thousand years old, you should check its glaze.
The era of the vase is very important when determining its value. Vases from different eras can be identified by their base and colors. Generally, vases made in the Tang or Sui dynasties are covered with glass glazes. This type of glaze protects the ceramic from water and preserves the decorative design of the vase. This glaze was applied from 581AD to 907AD.
The next step is to examine the inscription. Besides a date, the Chinese vase’s inscription may also contain a mark, which signifies the time and place when it was created. Some marks are painted, inked, or engraved. If a jar has a mark, it’s most likely an antique. However, if you’re uncertain about whether a Chinese vase is valuable, you can always seek the help of an appraiser.
A piece with an overmark is very valuable. The stamp is usually placed in the bottom, and indicates the maker. If the mark is in gold or black ink, the vase was made during the Qing dynasty. A Qing vase with a reign mark is probably of the highest quality, but it could also be a copy of another dynasty or emperor’s mark.
