Posted 7 years ago
AgeExplorer
(1 item)
Hi this is my first object shared - because I need help! I bought this yesterday from an antiques fair in East Yorkshire. I think it's a Repro dressed to appear old because of the faked crazing and heavy dirtiness.
But what is it pertaining to be?
It consists of 4 porcelain lidded pots around a central round pot. It is oriental, but I'm not certain if it's in the Chinese or Japanese style. The crazing is uniform and everywhere inside and out, and there is much dirt around the lips of the lids and the bases - almost like cement in its consistency.
The glazing is prevalent and intact all over, apart from in the bottom of the pots where it has worn away to reveal the paint and raw surface below. The illustrations appear to be part transfer and part hand coloured/painted. There is a red stamped seal mark on the bottom of all 5 pots..
I love it, despite its being wrong, but what is it?
I wondered if it is simply an elaborate jewellery box, or a betrothal gift for a married couple where the contents would be sealed until after the marriage.
My husband wondered if it could be an artists or calligraphers ink/paint pots.
All thoughts gratefully received!
Just a guess, Watercolour palette. Water in the middle and four colours in the pots. Something like this but with lids? http://www.asianbrushpainter.com/white-lotus-porcelain-palette.html
Many thanks for your link. That's what my husband thought too!
There are no ink/paint stains inside the pots, but, then, if it's a new fake that would make sense.
Thank you for your interest!
I thought "LAZY SUSAN SET" but they are usually not lidded.
I see what you mean. Or perhaps a version of an hors d'oeuvres set...
I agree, none of the suggestions so far usually come with lids, but I can see why all of them may have lids to keep paint or food fresh.
Many thanks for your thoughts and interest :)
It's a pastiche. The four scenes depict the Four Arts with women (unusual): Qin (Chinese pluck string instrument), Qi ("Go" game), Shu (calligraphy), and Hua (painting). They look early 20th c. but probably later. Hard to tell without details.
The central piece is from 1980s. Shows a scene between the two leading characters from the early 80s Chinese TV drama Dream of the Red Chambers, based on the 18th c. novel of the same name.
this can,t be an early piece , because the mark is probably zheng de tangzhi in a not closed frame so actually i think its the 4 th quartier of the 20 ct