One of the first steps in determining the age of Chinese
porcelain is to look at the bottom of the piece and read the reign
marks. Needless to say, there are other important criteria to
determine the actual age and the authenticity of an antique
porcelain, since nothing is easier that to write an old date on the
bottom of a vase that came out of the kiln last month. But it is
still important to be able to recognize these marks.
Reign periods, or nianhao, constitute a basic unit of the
Chinese calendar. Traditionally, dates are given as year XX of the
YY reign period. The third year of the Yongzheng period is 1725,
since the first year was in 1723 when the Yongzheng Emperor began
his rule. The name of a nianhao is actually an auspicious
title or slogan chosen to indicate and support a political
direction. Originally, emperors could have several such titles
during their years on the throne, changing them when a new direction
was instituted.
Starting from the Ming dynasty, however, the custom of picking
new titles disappeared and each emperor used a single nianhao
during the entire span of his reign. When a new emperor ascended the
throne, they picked a new title. As a result, the reign titles
became associated with, and designate, the ruler. So when we talk
about the Qianlong Emperor then, although "Qianlong" is actually not
the emperor's name but a title chosen at the beginning of his rule,
it is perfectly clear who we mean by that designation.
The marks on Chinese porcelain typically consist of four or six
characters, the last two being "nian zhi", i.e. "made during the
years of". The style of the characters can be either "kai" form or
seal script. Seal script was favored especially during the years of
the Qianlong and Jiaqing emperors. Below are some examples of reign
marks taken from actual pieces of Chinese porcelain, arranged in
chronological order.
Xuande (1426-1435)
Transcription: Da Ming Xuande nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Xuande reign of the Great Ming
dynasty
Yongle (1403-1425)
Transcription: Yongle nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Yongle reign
This inscription does not say the name of the dynasty, but we know
that the Yongle period was during the Ming dynasty.
Chenghua (1465-1488)
Transcription: Da Ming Chenghua nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Chenghua reign of the Great Ming
dynasty
Chongzhen (1628-1644)
Transcription: Da Ming Chongzhen nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Chongzhen reign of the Great Ming
dynasty
Yongzheng (1723-1736)
Transcription: Da Qing Yongzheng nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Yongzheng reign of the Great Qing
dynasty
Transcription: Yongzheng nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Yongzheng reign
This last mark differs from the others above because it does not
include the name of the dynasty.
Qianlong (1736-1796)
Transcription: Da Qing Qianlong nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Qianlong reign of the Great Qing
dynasty
These are by far the most common marks on Chinese anqtiques. The
Qianlong Emperor was a great connoisseur of art who was himself
actively involved in painting, writing poems and essays, doing
calligraphy etc. The 60 years of his rule was a golden age of
Chinese art.
Transcription: Qianlong yu zhi
Translation: Made for Qianlong Emperor
This last mark specifically states that the procelain was made for
the imperial household.
Jiaqing (1796-1821)
Transcription: Da Qing Jiaqing nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Jiaqing reign of the Great Qing
dynasty
Guangxu (1975-1909)
Transcription: Da Qing Guangxu nian zhi
Translation: Made during the Guangxu reign of the Great Qing
dynasty
By Imre Galambos
