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Hello can you hel identify origin, period, value? Thanks!

The bowl's four-character base-mark (upside-down in your photo) reads "Made during the Qianlong Reign" (Qian long nian zhi - 乾隆年製). The firing and glazing characteristics, place the bowl in a category with popular kiln (minyao) wares made during the fourth quarter of the 19th century, or the Guangxu period (1875-1908). The decoration looks to be the attributes of the Daoist Eight Immortals.

Here's a photo of another bowl of the same period, which has the same type of fritting on the rim, due to thinning of the glaze in the kiln. In this case, the fritted areas have been filled with lacquer and gilded in the Japanese style. The base-mark in this case is in four marks of "Made during the Kangxi Reign (Kangxi Nian Zhi).

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thank you Bill, If I read you correctly it means the inscription on the bottom doesn't correspond to your estimated period of production? In essence it is old but not as old as the inscription on the back would suggest. Any idea of an estimated value? Thanks again for your valuable information. BRGDS Pascal

Your assumptions are correct. In Anthony J. Allen's most recent book, "Allen's Antique Chinese Porcelain -- The Detection of Fakes", he cites a rule of thumb, stating that Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong reign marks weren't faked on Chinese porcelains until the Guangxu reign (1875-1908). However, all three fake reign marks have been extensively employed since that time.

As to value, my sense of the pattern is that your bowl with an auspicious motif for Chinese Daoists might have come from a larger dinnerware set used by Chinese restaurants, thus is more common and less valuable with the damage shown. The bowl I've pictured probably has more damage, but it is larger, has a modicum of conservation and was made during a time when there was a renaissance underway in the manufacture of Kangxi-style porcelains. So while it might bring a hundred dollars or a bit more at auction, an undamaged example in the same pattern and of the Guangxu period would probably sell for much more.

Best regards,

Bill H.

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