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Japanese porcelain peanut whimsey marking help needed

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Asian Antiques2904 of 10500Old unidentified suspected Chinese or Mongolian knife, fully engraved with Dragon Motif, semi-precious stones and gold washNot sure what or where its from
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    Posted 6 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.

    Mystery Solved
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    Comments

    1. truthordare truthordare, 6 years ago
      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
    2. Pencil-necked-geek Pencil-necked-geek, 6 years ago
      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?
    3. Pencil-necked-geek Pencil-necked-geek, 6 years ago
      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?
    4. truthordare truthordare, 6 years ago
      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. :-)
    5. Pencil-necked-geek Pencil-necked-geek, 6 years ago
      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.
    6. Windwalker, 6 years ago
      Probley came for bill bobs desk ..jimmy carters brother ...lol just kidding,. cool find..
    7. wma, 4 years ago
      Peanuts are not native to China. They originated in South America.

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