Exceptional reign marks of the 18th and 19th centuries
Notes regarding late reign marks:
慎德堂 (Shendetang) This is the name of the palace of the Daoguang emperor, located in the Yuanmingyuan park. Porcelain bearing this mark, if genuine, would have been used by the Daoguang emperor and thus be imperial porcelain.
大雅齋 (Dayazhai) Porcelain marked ‘Dayazhai’ (大雅斋) was fired during the first two years of the Guangxu reign at the Jingdezhen kiln. Porcelain bearing that mark, if genuine, would have been produced as tribute for the imperial palace. The Qing government was at the time intent on restoring the declined ceramics industry flourish anew.
居仁堂 (Jurentang) Jurentang or Juren hall was the original Haiyantang which empress dowager Cixi had renovated. It was for 83 days the residence of Yuanshikai, who in vain tried during the early republic (1915-16) to make himself emperor, using the reign name of ‘Hongxian. Porcelain marked 居仁堂製 (Made by Jurentang) was used as a present during that time to honour officials and guests (diplomats). Items bearing this mark had a similar position as imperial porcelain during the Qing dynasty. It is considered the best among the ‘Hongxian’ period porcelain.
* The first two above are considered imperial marks. The last one is something else.
