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Can anyone translate this mark for me. Thanks!

"Qianlong Nien Zhi" a famous Qing emperor that reign in China from 1736-1795ad. Although that does NOT mean it is from the period.

The mark reads "Qianlong period made", but as this is probably the most popular apocryphal mark found the odds are against it being of the period.
A pic of the piece in question would help to determine what period it`s actually from.

Phil.

Pyro and Phil,

Thank you both for your responses. The piece in question is a so-called "Peking Glass" vase, generically, cased or cameo glass - emerald green over turquoise blue. Close examination shows that it is not cast or pressed but carved (actually probably wheel-cut, then finished by grinding with abrasive, polishing, and fine incising). Most modern reproductions appear to have been made by glass-on-glass application rather than the more laborious method of cameo. I am showing three of the four panels: pair of cranes, a lone hawk, and a pair of flycatcher or hu birds. The fourth panel (not shown) is a pair of partidges. The glass has the right inclusions to be old (at least late 19th c and possibly earlier). The quality certainly seems to be there for a relatively large piece of Peking glass(ca. 27 cm high).

Hi, Robert:

I do not know how good or how old your glass vase is but a while ago we had a heated argument at the other forum regarding some supposedly "made in the Qian Long Year" jade pieces. I had posted some Qian Long Reign Marks from some authentic Qian Long jade pieces (from books) for comparision with those Qian Long jade pieces posted by that member. It should not take a genius to see that the reign marks on that member's "Qian Long" pieces were poorly executed, comparing with that of the authentic pieces.

http://www.chicochai.com/jadeforum/read.php?forum=1&id=30606

I believe your glass vase could be old, but I am not sure as old as 19th century which would make it that of the Qing dynasty. I believe it would be more like a Republic piece or later(after 1911). Again, the Qian Long reign mark shown on this vase is simply not that good. I am sorry to say. Of course I can be wrong since I know nothing about Peking glass but only judge it by the artistry of the Qian Long reign seal.

Bill

Bill,

Thanks. Valid observation. Also, most marked Qianlong glass vases have four-character mark, and a few have six-character mark.

Interested to hear what others have to say.

Robert

Glass also not that good. Look like colors popular export to West 1920s-1930s.

Good luck,
Cal

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