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chinese Kangxi plate

by EILEEN RAE
(COVENTRY UK)

HELLO, COULD ANYONE PLEASE HELP ME TO IDENTIFY THIS PLATE.

I BELIEVE IT IS KANGXI MARK, BUT THIS IS NOT MY SUBJECT.
SUGGESTIONS WELCOME
MANY THANKS-EILEEN

Comments for chinese Kangxi plate

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Jan 11, 2011
 Maybe Kangxi
by: sjenner

The mark is consistent with the Kangxi period. The Kangxi Emperor forbade the use of the six character dynasty mark for all export porcelain (the decided majority of which was destined for the European markets). Accordingly, the imperial kilns, which were reconstituted during Kangxi's reign, switched to using animal or other marks in place of the dynasty mark.

It should, however, be noted that porcelain pieces made during later periods, especially during the last half of the 19th Century until the early 20th Century, tended to copy Kangxi period marks, not to mislead, but as a reference to their quality.

Militating in favor of your plate being genuine Kangxi is that the mark is not the dynasty mark. If your plate was from a later period, the mark would generally be the dynasty mark, often abbreviated down to four characters. Also, the shape and size of the plate, as best I can tell, appear consistent with the Kangxi period.

A possible problem with a date attribution to the Kangxi period is that the foot of your plate looks to be perhaps a bit thick and over-sized, which would tend to establish a later date for its manufacture. The key will be to feel the foot. If it presents a smooth, rounded profile that feels like bisque porcelain, and the glaze stops before it reaches the baked edge of the foot, then that indicates a genuine Kangxi period plate. If the foot feels rough or like its been ground down (as opposed to kiln baked--you'll know the difference--it will feel more porous and not smooth to the touch), then a later date is indicated.

Another possible problem (it's difficult to tell given the picture), is the look of the porcelain. Kangxi period porcelain paste produced a softer effect than later formulations. If the porcelain feels more like glass and is very white, then that would indicate a later date.

Either way, it would behoove you to take the plate to an expert or do more research. Even if it's not really Kangxi period but from a later time, it could still be quite valuable.

Without seeing the front of the plate and a better quality image, its difficult to say more.
Nov 19, 2010
 mark
by: peter

It is indeed a Kangxi mark.
I assume you are aware that lots of Kangxi marks were imitated on later porcelain. Please make sure that the rest of the plate also is of the period.

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