Chinese Porcelain Collection

Large Kangxi (1662-1722) period bowl, with Chenghua mark and marseille decoratin

This bowl is not hard to date. Good Qing dynasty, Kangxi (1662-1722) period pieces can be hard to separate from their Ming dynasty, Chenghua (1465-87) counterparts but the sixes are differemt and the decorations such as this, was not invented during the Chenghua period.

However, considering the price genuine Chenghua (1465-87) pieces fetch, it is of outmost importance (for the seller) to not make any mistakes in the attribution. The well-rounded and carefully polished, high foot rim is similar to pieces from both periods. The small "pinholes" in the glaze of the base is more likely to be found on Kangxi pieces, though.

An important factor is the rim border decoration, which is typical of the Kangxi period. The cut, or impressed, decoration based on the pattern of woven silk, on the outside, called marseille, also gained in popularity on the more expensive pieces during the first decades of the 18th century.

The mark which reads "Da Ming Chenghua Nian Zhi" (Ming, Chenghua 1465-87 period) are not unusual on Kangxi pieces, and are written in a calligraphic style that is typical on Kangxi period pieces from the middle part of the Kangxi period.

Sincerely,
Jan-Erik Nilsson

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