Blue and white pieces with Kangxi mark

I am a relatively new collector and recently purchased 17 pieces of blue and white chinese porcelain. After consulting your site, I believe the pieces may be from the Kangxi period for several reasons.

I know pictures can tell more but would like to get a preliminary readout on authenticity before I take pictures. I do not have a camera and this will take much effort.

Many of the pieces have the Position 3 Mark exactly like the one listed under #90 on your 20th Century Marks page. All of the marks are in a different handwriting but all of the same mark. The Position 3 mark would indicate the reign.

Additionally, the finials on the lids of my pieces are the same as the ones on Augustus The Strong "Dragoneer Vase" for sale on your site and the already sold Teacup with Dish and Cover.

The patterns are mostly floral with leaves; some have a key fret border. I have rice pots (?) with fluted edge lids; a large temple jar with a dragon intermingled similar to Augustus The Strong; a magnificent rice vinegar urn (?) and an umbrella stand shaped piece (not the Kangxi mark) of the same quality; a tall ovoid shaped jar with cup lid; and a large cobalt blue vase with flowers.

The seller said the pieces had been in storage in San Francisco for 85 years. Each had a specially made wooden box which it was stored in. All pieces in good condition (no chips, cracks), obvious age, and some have brown crazing only on one side and the other side is beautiful white.

Can you tell me if these are pieces routinely reproduced? The shapes and sizes and age marks are all unique and I am so curious about it.

I LOVE the blue and white chinese porcelain and look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your dedication to preserving the knowledge of these historical pieces.

Sincerely,
Trish

Possibly Kangxi

Dear Trish,

The phrase "I have a piece with almost exactly the same mark as..." almost always makes me nervous, since from that phrase I know I might soon have to make somebody very disapointed. So, naturally I am very curious to see what you have got.

As a preliminary help I must tell you that Kangxi period looking pieces were newly made and mass exported in a grand style more or less exactly 85 years ago.

The glaze on these reproduced pieces are thinner and have a more "dry" look than the originals. they are also often supplied with a four characters underglaze blue and white Kangxi mark.

As an example I would also like to mention, that any authentic blue and white Kangxi period vase of about 12 inches height is likely to cost from $1,000 and up, while the reproductions normally are called "19th century" and are sold for about $100.

I hope this will help you at least some.

Thank you for your interest.

Best regards,
Jan-Erik Nilsson