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Exceptional porcelain: Chinese brands to know

  • Writer: Artmediary
    Artmediary
  • Feb 18
  • 3 min read

Chinese porcelain, synonymous with elegance, has seduced art lovers for centuries with its translucence, hardness and exceptional finesse. More than a simple decorative object, it bears a specific mark that reveals its origin, authenticity and history. Marks, the true signatures of craftsmen and dynasties, are essential to enable art enthusiasts to understand and appreciate the Chinese ceramic treasures on display



Vase with nine peaches, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period(1736-1795), conserved at the MET, New York
Vase with nine peaches, China, Qing dynasty, Qianlong mark and period(1736-1795), conserved at the MET, New York

Before the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Chinese porcelain was rarely marked. It was during the reign of Emperor Xiuande that imperial markings became widespread on porcelain pieces. At the time, Jingdezhen kilns produced mainly blue and white porcelain and some "doucaï" porcelain. Under Xiuande, those responsible for apocryphal pieces were condemned to death. Later, Emperor Changhua resumed the practice, marking imperial pieces and continuing to experiment with polychromes, before giving birth to five-colour "woucaï" porcelain. Today, Ming dynasty pieces in good condition can fetch several million euros.

 

Under the Qing dynasty (1644-1912), a dating system was developed with the "nianhao", meaning "name of years", which enabled a name to be attributed to one or more years of a reign or an emperor. Thus, an emperor might have several nianhao, giving the name of the dynasty, the era and sometimes the place of manufacture. In those days, the main signature was that of the Kangxi emperor, where no compromise was accepted when it came to porcelain quality. Thanks to the democratization of this practice, today's brands give us clues as to an object's date of creation, origin and use. 
















Chicken cup, China, Ming dynasty, Chenghua mark and period (1465-1487), conserved at the MET, New York


Marks can be recognized by the sinograms affixed under the base of the pieces or, more rarely, on the rim in a single line. They can be presented in a variety of styles: stamped, hand-painted, incised or even printed. Great care must be taken with these marks, as over time they have been copied and usurped. Apocryphal marks can be detected by looking carefully at the decorations and manufacturing processes, which must correspond to the period of the mark. A difference in quality, style or color could reveal the existence of a reproduction.

 

However, the signature must meet certain criteria to be correctly deciphered.

 

There are different types of mark. Sometimes, they are marks with symbolic motifs or emblems. Decorative motifs may represent precious objects or Buddhist emblems. Dedications, wishes for happiness, prosperity, wealth, longevity and even poems can be found on some pieces. In general, however, imperial marks are affixed to Chinese porcelain.  These are characterized by four or six characters arranged in two or three columns.

 

The characters are generally painted in blue undercover, arranged in rows and columns, often with a double circle or square in the shape of a seal or stamp. The strokes should be fine, clean and consistent.



Snuff box with boys training to play, China, Qing dynasty, Daoguang mark and period (1821-1850), conserved at the MET, New York
Snuff box with boys training to play, China, Qing dynasty, Daoguang mark and period (1821-1850), conserved at the MET, New York

A mark is read from right to left and top to bottom. It can be written in traditional Kaishu script or in sigillary. In the case of sigillary script, the right-hand column indicates the dynasty, the middle column the name of the emperor, and the left-hand column the term "under the reign of". And in cases where only four characters are inscribed, the dynasty has not been specified.

 

Finally, Chinese porcelain marks offer a valuable window into Chinese history and craftsmanship. They enable pieces to be dated and authenticated, revealing details about their origin and quality. By deciphering these marks, collectors and historians enrich their understanding of this refined art, preserving a rich cultural heritage.


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