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Could anyone help me determine how old these ginger jars are? Or if they're counterfeit and made to look old? And what the mark on the base stands for?
They are 6.5" high by 5.25" wide. One is slightly smaller than the other.
Thank you for your help.
Joel

Chenghua style doucai jars with tian marks but probably later. You should have picked this one instead:

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/42179703_chinese-ming-doucai-dragon-jar

Thank you for your help and information. I really appreciate it.
Joel

The link given by Corey is to a page showing actual doucai porcelains, although not from the Ming Dynasty Chenghua reign. Do an internet search if you are interested. You will find that all decent doucai items, including later-than-Ming products, are decorated with enamels within underglaze-blue outlines, on fine quality white porcelain.

I am sorry I cannot identify your jars, which are not similar to the above.

Hello snap. Thanks for clarifying. I actually thought it was a Chenghua mark and period jar because of the two stickers at the base from legendary 20th ct. dealer J. T. Tai and the famous collector Mrs. Alfred Clarke.

But the decoration of the jars in focus seems somewhat similar to a Chenghua period doucai jar at British Museum:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details/collection_image_gallery.aspx?assetId=30609001&objectId=227041&partId=1#more-views

And it's also quite similar to a Chenghua period jar sold jar sold by reputable I. M. Chait:

http://www.chait.com/asp/fullcatalogue.asp?salelot=IFA1303++145+&refno=++137752&image=0

Thank you Corey.I did see the picture of the covered jar in the British museum. I realize that the quality of the 2 jars in my possession is not as high. It's difficult to see in the photos but there is a design under the rust colored bands on the top and bottom of the jars. The rust colored bands seem very oxidized or something so they hide most of the detail. But there are the same blue markings under the bands as the one in the museum. They're still nice jars and I haven't seen any others floating around on the web. So if they were meant to be forgeries, I guess I still have something unique. Thanks again for your help! Joel

Thank you Snap. I really appreciate your expertise. I wish I had a treasure but that's the way it goes. I learn something new each time.
Thanks again. Joel

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