Qing dynasty fencai colors and dating

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The presence of the following colors can give hints for dating within the Qing dynasty.


- olive green
- black
- light blue
- pink
- crimson
- on-glaze blue


    • Olive Green:
Olive green was used on polychromes at least since the 15th century, predominantly with wucai colors. However, for some mysterious reason its use ceased after the Kangxi reign, Qing dynasty. It is largely absent but reappears in the late Qing dynasty, Guangxu reign. Any earlier appearance may only be called sporadic.

    • Black:
The use of black "only" decorations ceased after the Yongzheng reign. Black was still used afterwards, but usually in combination with gilt, etc.


    • Light blue, pink:
These colors appear on the plate rims of 18th century export porcelain, but were otherwise largely absent on domestic porcelain until the late Qing dynasty

    • Crimson:
Crimson was first used in fencai porcelain of the Yongzheng reign.


    • On-glaze blue:
The on-glaze blue color appeared first in the Kangxi reign. Before that most blue decorations were in underglaze blue.