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Qing Dynasty Kiangx Era Chinese Moon Flask?

by Paul Hinchliffe
(North Carolina)

I have obtained this moon flask and it is excellent shape. I have researched extensively and to the best i can figure it is real. I would like your opinion as to wether you think it is real and how much it can possibly be worth. Historicly they seem to be worth a lot of money.

I had the chinese translated and was told it was traditional chinese, six marking which read "Qing Dynasty Third Emperor".

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank YOU
Paul

Comments for Qing Dynasty Kiangx Era Chinese Moon Flask?

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Kangxi
by: Viscount

Hi Peter,
Strongly agree with you. All the things about this moon flask are wrong.
Viscount
additional comment
by: peter

Sorry for my confusing comment. The number of bats is right, of course, but the manner they are painted is odd. They look like kites! If you have a look at this link:
collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O186430/bowl-unknown/
(This museum is above the board, when it comes to Chinese ceramics.)
You will see the shape of the bats. While there are variations and simplifications, the wings are always in a natural angle, not straight outward stretched, like those on your moon flask.

"Qing Dynasty Third Emperor"
Whoever told you the above either does not really speak/read Chinese themselves (fluency level), or they did not conscientiously transcribe its meaning for you for some reason.

Six character mark:
大清康熙年製 (Daqing Kangxi Nianzhi)
Meaning: Great Qing Kangxi Years Made (literal translation)
How comes "third emperor" into the play? That emperor was the second emperor of the Qing dynasty, by the way.
This is a Kangxi reign mark, but reign marks, especially Kangxi marks, were added to large numbers of porcelain made in the late Qing dynasty, and also to fakes. So, these marks cannot be relied on for identification. Please see "Marks" section of this site.

I'm afraid I cannot help much with your research. As with many high priced porcelain items, moon flasks are copied in large numbers. And they are hand made or painted.
You must really know Chinese porcelain to find the real thing, except perhaps at a major auction. You may be looking mostly at fakes online, without knowing it.
For comparison I would suggest you try the websites of major museums and first tier auction houses, and before all consult books on the subject. Moon flasks are not entry level collectibles, I'm afraid. They are relatively rare and expensive, if genuine.
Addendum
by: Paul Hinchliffe

Sir,

I failed to mention that the obvious blue around the top rim appears to be drawn on with a marker or sharpie. It does rub off onto your fingers, yet i did not want to alter it in any way.

I'm confused with your remarks as to the number of bats. I can clearly count five around the rim. Is that correct amount?

When i search the internet i have tried to find fakes and have yet to see one. Could you guide me to an example of a faked moon flask?

The shape is not perfect, their are imperfections, and it is definitely hand painted.

What exactly makes it an obvious fake besides the marker around the rim.

We bought this item in an auction and this is how it came. I know it does start with the right characters and i have had it translated.

"Qing Dynasty Third Emperor"

Have there been many fakes marked like this? Is this the period they seem to choose to fake?

If it were fake would they at least try to duplicate the period? Not ever seeing these type bats although they have made numerous types, does that make it fake?

There does not seem to be a really good reference sight for these type pieces.
moon flask
by: peter

Hi, I'm afraid this is an easy to recognize fake. The first that meets the eye is the color on top, with a violet hue. That color points to chemical pigments. Until the mid-19th century mineral pigments were used.
The second is the mark. On a genuine antique the mark must be written from right to left. Here it is written left to right, as it would at present.

The decoration also is odd, especially that on the neck. Usually that would be five bats around the character in the middle, because of the auspicious meaning five bats have in Chinese culture. I never saw such strange bats. The manner they were painted over the centuries has changed, but never were they painted in such a way.

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