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Can anyone help to identify the marks on these covered jars?
Much thanks in advance.

The characters form an apocryphal version of the Ming Chenghua reign mark. If you'll query "chenghua" via the main forum search feature, you'll come up with a lot of information concerning older crackle-glaze ceramics with patterns like yours. I would only add the opinion that these with the white faces and pinkish looking banners probably weren't made before the late 20th century.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Hi Andrea and Bill,

As allways I agree with the opinion of Bill H. accept (this time) the remark of the "white faces". Herewith the only example of this ware I have in my collection which is (as far as I know) an earlier (19th. ct) example which also shows such white faces.

Regards,

Arjan

Hi Arjan,

Being considered even half-right by you is still an honor. :) No doubt your bowl is antique right down to the crackle, white faces and all. Usually I'd let things like that slide right by as long as they don't look too chalky and the rest of the decoration looks like it belongs there, but with the fuzzy photos provided, my impression was one of deja vu all over again. Like looking through fogged glasses at shelves lined with fresh vases in this pattern at the China Arts & Crafts store in Hong Kong when living there in the late 70's-early 80's. And I forget to mention earlier that the red base-mark looks rather modern, sort of flat, like it could have been done with a decal.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Thanks Bill & Arjan!
The pink that Bill spoke of is definite on the one vase but the other is purple; more of which I see on your representation, Arjan.
They are from a Guernsey Island family collection and if I were to estimate a purchase time frame it would be in the 1920's - they were bequeathed in the 70's
Interesting ...Andrea

:-) ;-).... and of course I agree with Bill H. about the red marking.

Regards,

Arjan

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