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I am trying to authenticate a pair of scroll weights with mirror images. The worn guilding, and greyish undulating 'orange peel' underglaze with impurities looks "right". I haven't been able to locate the artist/shop marks and am concerned amout the significance of the 'fang?' and 'gu?' marks that frame the inscription "hu guang shan se". Please share you're thoughts.

The painting, palette and Guangxu (1875-1908) marks appear to me to be compatible with the period, but Tony's views are always good to hear on such matters.

The scene's title, "Hu guang shan se" (湖光山色--"The lake reflects the beauty of the mountain") has been given to a zillion Chinese paintings of Taihu and other famous lakes. However, historic versions by famous painters have repeatedly been paid tribute by successive generations of artists, including porcelain painters. Lacking any other apparent signature (unless the squiggles on either side of the title mean something), perhaps the seals have been taken from a famous painting of this scene.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Hi Bill and Joe,
As I am sure Bill knows, this style of decoration is known as "Qianjiang", enjoying a period of popularity from circa 1870 to 1910.

I cannot recall seeing a scroll weight of this shape, but the decoration is compatible with a Guangxu (1875 to 1908) dating.
Regards
Tony

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