Posted 7 years ago
Pencil-nec…
(104 items)
This 4-1/2" long ceramic peanut is another one of my wife's finds. Very accurately detailed, but with marks that are mostly a mystery to me.
My go-to for oriental art is the Nipon war bride that runs the local small grocery. She said she thought it was old, probably pre-Meiji (1868), with one of the symbols being "great Japan" (or something like that) and others (she thought) might be the artist's name. Me? I don't even know if my rubbing is right side up!
Seems unlikely that the peanut is really that old, since it would predate the introduction of peanuts to Japan (late 19th C according to online sources). The nuts themselves are NOT S&P shakers ~ just nuts.
Any help with these questions and conundrums will be greatly appreciated.
This is a great find, old, don't feel it is Japanese because it is molded and painted porcelain, I think more probable Chinese porcelain with an archaic Imperial reign mark molded on base with only the 4 last characters instead of the 6. Kangxi 1662-1722.
http://www.gotheborg.com/marks/bild/q2_bisq.jpg
Thanks for the info, ToD ~ are you saying that date is firm based on the characters shown? How incredible that BOTH nuts survived joined for that long!
So, were peanuts native to China then? I know they have positive meaning, but can't imagine what this ceramic one could be used for other than a whimsey.
And lastly ~ is my rubbing right-side-up?
OK... so, in looking around the interweb, I'm wondering if this might be a form of scroll weight used on a scholar's desk? Any thoughts?
Hi, missed your comments, we dont get the email notifications anymore. I have no idea if peanuts were native to China, or if they even ate them. The dating is not based on the imperial mark, that is just a Chinese tradition of using these old marks on newer porcelain items. Yes your mark is facing the right way. I think early 20th century sold and exported as a cute novelty, probably to USA. Where China had a huge trade business in several types of decorative items and utilitarian ones. Your item is rare and a novelty. :-)
OK, TorD ~ I think I understand now. Had me excited there for a while. I showed it to a man from China who confirmed much of what you've shared. A cute tchotchke, but not a peanut (much less pearl) of great value. Thanks for your assistance.
Probley came for bill bobs desk ..jimmy carters brother ...lol just kidding,. cool find..
Peanuts are not native to China. They originated in South America.