Asian Arts | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries | Message Board

Hello, I have several pieces of Chinese Famille Noire but this baluster shaped vase/lamp stands out with the coloration of grey in parts of the background, which be loss of the black paint or fading??. I have other pieces of Famille Noire with a completely jet black ground. Though I believe it to be Chinese it may be Japanese. It was purchased several years ago as "antique" but may possibly be vintage. On the base, typical cracking of the glaze is evident but there is no mark, only remnants of a red and white paper label. The footrim is not glazed and it's only partially glazed on the interior. Any help in identifying the origin and age would e greatly appreciated.

Thanks for looking at it.

This was made to be lamp, not antique.

Probably made 1980s-later China for sale department store.

Good luck,
Cal

Hi Steve.

Traditionally Chinese porcelain pieces have un-glazed footrims. So your Chinese attributation seems correct!

This piece looks more like an aubergine glaze though rather than famille noir and judging by the decoration it would appear to be early 20th Century.

Hope this helps!

Gary.

Dear Steve,

Looking at the shape (as far as I can see) I think your vase is Chinese. About Famille Noir: "Real" Famille Noir is from Kangxi periode and is made with 2 layers on unglazed paste (enemals on biscuit) A green layer is painted above a dark cobalt layer. You often can find traces of this future. Later in 19th. century, during the Kangxi revival periode, they made real nice examples as well. I don't think your vase is painted with those two layers and also don't think they painted it on biscuit. Also the hole seems to be drilled before glazing, wich means that it was meant to be made for a lamp-base. All this and the colors makes me think your vase is later 20th century. Also I don't think that the cracking of the glaze is "typical" for Chinese nor Japanese porcelain.
best regards,
Arjan

Asian Arts | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries | Message Board