Identify mark

[Stan]

Hi Peter, I am thinking of purchasing a vase that has a mark, it is not in any of my books, I think the vase is fairly new, but the quality is exceptional, I think it might be a modern Chinese artist, could you please read the mark if possible, thanks.

[Stan]

Sorry, I just found it in my book, it is a tributary Yongle mark.

[peterp]

Yes, right. And this surely is modern. You will not find any genuine Yongle mark written like this one because there is less than a handful.

[Stan]

Thanks Peter, this is a very nice modern vase, I thought it could have been a makers mark or something, it almost dose not look Chinese but it is a new item that is really done with high skill, if I get it I will post photos.

[peterp]

Well, as to this specific mark, as far as I know there are only two and a half cups with this mark known. They are in a museum in Peking, if I remember right. The half cup is a broken, incomplete one. :-)
Correction: just read through my old notes and it seems to be four cups with this imperial mark.

[Stan]

I wish I had one of though's I could probably retire.

[peterp]

Hehe...there are lots of fakes out there with this mark, for sure. Even some antique items made later in the  Ming dynasty seem to have this mark.

[Stan]

This vase sold last night for $800.00 good price for something new, it was high quality though.

[heavenguy]

I have seen a lot of those on eBay this days, (I mean the type of raised decoration and colors underglaze). They usually come with a 4 character Qianglong mark.