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Wondering what the mark on the bottom of this bowl says and wondering if you can identify it. It looks to be old and it has " that orange peel surface" that I was told is a sign of an older piece. What sets if apart for me is that it has a decoration on the bottom inside. To me ( untrained eye) it appears to be high quality.



Link :http://productimages.goantiques.com/96844/427232533_detail.jpg

Hi Elizabeth,

The mark reads "Da Ming Zhengde".
From that period you can find marks as "Da Ming Zhengde nian zhi" (made in Ming period during the reign of emperor Zhengde) and "Zhengde nian zhi".
Without nian zhi (period made) it points (imho) to a new(er) piece.

regards,

Arjan

There is another small squiggle mark that is outside of the circle. Would a period mark be in that location? If you think that could be a significant clue I will post a picture of it.

Thanks so much for your help. I love this forum!

Sorry, I just see a blue dot on this picture. I don't think/expect it's a period mark.

OK here is a better picture of the "spot" squiggle that I was referring to in my last post.

Plus I have another questions. I have been told that nearly all ancient Chinese pottery will have places where the iron in the clay breaks through the surface to make little pock marks. It is only with low quality ware? I have been looking at pictures of old pieces and some look so clean that it is surprising that they are actually 500 years old or more. I do plan to visit the library to learn more about Asian pottery. But there is no replacement for hands on experience.

Dear Elizabeth

The closeup shows more clearly that the mark is transfer-printed, which means your bowl is at least 20th century. It cannot be older than that; it could be very new indeed.

It does take experience to identify the "orange peel" surface, rust spots and other signs of age.

Thank you very much...

The form of "de" (德 - virtue) used in your mark didn't appear in reign marks of the Zhengde period. Please note that the character in your mark has "de" written with a horizontal stroke across the middle of its right side. In period marks "de" is written as 徳 instead of 德.

The "squiggle" to the side of your mark looks to me to be an upside-down "5", perhaps a production number. This item appears likely to date to the early 20th century.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thanks....I was on a high thinking that I may have an actual Mings era porcelain. The good news that it not made within the last 2o years.

I have another question...

Why are some important pieces unmarked?
I have another large interesting bowl that is decorated with a cloud motif, has a double foot ring. I'll post that in a few days.

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