Plate with twin dragon mark

[T. Chan]

Hi everyone,
I have a plate and this plate has been with me for several years now. The plate is "marked" Chenghua, but this kind of mark is popular in Kangxi period. But again, I think it is not Kangxi since the drawing somewhat not fine and the yellow color looks chemical yellow. But again, it has the 'aged' look and the outline is not that 'black', moreover, it has the potter's fingers print too. Could anyone help me with the real period? Thanks

[peterp]

I'm afraid it is impossible to know when this was made. There are lots of shops in Jingdezhen making all types of fakes for the "antique" market, where most that is sold is not antique.  It is recent, looks like a tourist item with signs of age faking. The base is wrong. There were no such bottoms/marks in the history of Chinese kilns. The colors are chemical and look recent.

[T. Chan]

Hi Peter,
Yes I think so too that this item is quite recent. The color like you said like chemical color because the yellow is to dense. But about the mark, I have a book which mention about all kind of marks, the mark on the plate is quit similar to the one I found in the book. Well, not exactly the same but a little similar. That is why I said earlier that the mark was popular in Kangxi period. But recently I also read from other specialists statement that some authors purposely put fake items in their books. Is that so? Thanks.

[peterp]

> that some authors purposely put fake items in their books

Hardly, that is one of the most used books for marks in the Chinese speaking world, probably. Fake marks would severely damage the reputation of author or publisher. Quite apart from that, many if not most of the marks pictured are on shards, as you can see.

It is simple to copy a mark, and it is done all the time. As to Chenghua marks, I see more Chenghua marks on Japanese porcelain than on Chinese items. If they use them, why should fakers not use them? For me a Chenghua mark is always a signal of a suspect item. There aren't that many really, on Chinese antiques.

[T. Chan]

Yes Peter, I mean when I said 'I read specialists statement', they are not referring to this book but to other English books on Chinese ceramics. The book seller in China recommend me this book and I bought it 5 years ago. I can speak but can't read Chinese so the book doesn't help much but still, this is a good book because there are abundant samples inside. Thanks.