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I hope someone here may be able to help me.

I have a bronze/brass bowl with a mark on the bottom. I have researched it the best that I can, but can make no sense of it.

I would really really appreciate it if anyone was able to give me any hints whatsoever.

Thank you in advance

Sorry, here are the pictures

I read it as 玉堂現玩 (not sure about the 3rd character).

Guy.

This is the correct reading of the mark: 玉堂珍玩 (Yutang zhenwan) - era: Qing Dynasty.

For an item sold at Christie's with the same mark see link below.
You should verify if your object is original or not.

Guy.

URL Title :Christies auction September 17, 2015

Guy .....Thank you very much for reply

I really appreciate your help and knowledge to decipher these characters.
Apparently the piece is original, I'll check it,

I will keep you informed about it.

Thank you in advance

Marco,

Don't know if this was a recent purchase nor the pedigree of your censer but it seems that prices for Qing dynasty bronzes are clearly on the rise so the danger for fakes will increase.

What makes me a bit suspicious about your item is the fact that a whole square area around the Yutang zhenwan mark could be a later addition to the underside. I noticed also three dots that could be junctures.

For comparison, I add a picture of a mark on another Qing bronze. On the other hand, the design of your item seem to be compatible with a similar Yutang zhenwan censer although I cannot verify the authenticity of the depicted object there (see 2nd image).

Just some personal thouhgts.

Guy.

Guy ... thanks again for your reply

I agree with you in your observation, the suspicion is the addition with the mark in the background. For the rest the piece looks pretty good and by its features I think it could be produced in that period.

I tell you that this object was in a family box locked for more than 60 years without seeing the light, which belonged to a close family member who was antiquarian. (I opened the trunk myself and got really interesting stuff)

I wonder if in the 50s or before, there was an intention to falsify these pieces, and that as much interest could generate pieces as it was at that time outside of Asia to justify a falsification. (I enclose a couple more photos to detail)

What do you think ? .... I will have to consult with someone specialized in the subject.

I'm more acquainted with Japanese bronzes but I would not rule out that Qing bronzes were copied or faked earlier. That goes also for Qing porcelain.

Best thing to do indeed, is to consult a specialist.

Guy.

Good lord that gave me a headache，well done. Third character should be 珍 I believe.

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