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Large Chinese Basin

by Marion
(Ontario)

Hey Peter,
Thank you so much for your time.
I've only been interested in Chinese porcelain as a hobby, so as a result I'm not sure about the age of this basin.

I know the mark on the bottom is Qianlong, but I'm positive it's apocryphal. However, the artwork seems far, far too beautiful for this piece to be modern. What do you think? Maybe Guangxu/Republic period?

Comments for Large Chinese Basin

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May 22, 2011
 basin
by: peter

The decoration and colors (or color combinations) used are distinctly second half of 20th century, rather on the later side,. I would think. There is a remote possibility that the actual porcelain body is old, while the decoration was painted much later. This is a sort of antique faking - a plain white porcelain item with some age is used and a new decoration added, so that it appears to be antique. But this doesn't look antique, I'm afraid. The decoration is not right here.
May 22, 2011
 Thank you Peter!
by: Marion

Oh wow, I was totally fooled!

Just so I can learn a bit from you, do you think you can explain what makes this pieces distinctively late 20 century? This way, I can avoid similar items in the future.

I picked it out because it seemed to be famille rose, and because the flower-and-butterflies motif is common in antique Chinese porcelain. Also, the entire thing is hand-painted, with such astonishing detail and perfect execution that I totally never thought it'd be late 20th century.
May 21, 2011
 basin
by: peter

Hi, I'm afraid this is from the late 20th century. The mark is only for decoration.

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