Famille Rose Canton Charger - Age? Mark?

[Kaaren B.]

Hello, all. I found this today in a local thrift shop for $3.

It looks very fresh and bright, so I have doubts about age, but I think it is very, very nicely done.

I cannot read the mark on the underside. It is over the glaze, not under it.

I can feel the enamel on the peony and the birds on the rim.

If more detail or closer images needed, please let me know.

Any information appreciated! Thank you! Kaaren

[peterp]

The mark is upside down. It says 廣彩中國, which can be translated into "Guangzhou Colors, China". (Guangzhou=formerly called Canton)
Marks using "China" in Chinese like this are usually 20th century.

Cannot tell age but probably only vintage. As you noted, the colors differ somewhat from the original Canton enamel wares. I suspect they are still making these for exporting them.

[Kaaren B.]

Thank you, Peter! Colors so fresh I figured vintage at best, but very pretty for $3.00!

Kaaren

[peterp]

Hi Kaaren,
I forgot to mention this, but that is probably rather a rose (flower) instead of a peony beside the birds. As with the rose medallion wares the flowers depicted are usually 'roses'.
This is a peculiarity of Canton wares, probably on request from the West. I do not remember seeing roses depicted on any type of Chinese ceramics made for use inside China, although roses did exist. They were just not popular in decorations.
The flowers resembling roses seen in Chinese arts and crafts are indeed usually either peonies or camellias as you probably know.

[Kaaren B.]

Thanks for the additional comments, Peter. I always thought the "rose" in famille rose referred to the color "rose" - pinkish. I always thought they were peonies.

I just watched a video by Peter Combs on how to date Chinese ceramics from footrims, I know I'll never remember most of it, but he also said that an item being modern didn't mean it was bad or low quality, there are fine artisans working today in older styles without intent to deceive.

It is when it is sloppily done and deliberately aged with intent to deceive that the buyer should walk away.

I do not think this plate falls into that category - there is very nice detailing and the colors are very lovely and not muted. So, for $3.00 I am happy with it.

"Canton colors" as a signature/mark is new to me. Kaaren

[peterp]

To be honest, it took me also years to realize that "rose" was not meaning the color in such cases, but the 'famille rose' naming still exists in addition to that. I came to the flower realization because of the 'rose medallion'.
And yes, I'm completely in agreement to what Peter says. 
My view is that collectors should strive to collect beautiful items. There is no point to assembling very old items that are not appealing, and looking at them at home. Those would be better  in museums, not private collections.   :-)