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Subject:Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Ray Sat, Mar 18, 2017 IP: 2602:0304:cf5f:5970:

These are two vases with some erotic scenes. They are about 7 inches tall and made of fine porcelain. Could some one please identify the maker and also provide the translation of the text? Also any idea how old this vases might be?







Subject:Re: Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Bill H Mon, Mar 20, 2017

Pardon the editorial nature of this response, but if this naïvely painted form of porn could actually be sold on the streets of China, I believe the Mainland wouldn't see its population problem disappear in short order; everybody would be disgusted to the point of disinterest. No serious artist wants to sign their names to these things, something for which they can't be blamed, considering the dearth of artistic talent reflected in their product, not to mention their lack of serious anatomical studies.

If you wish to collect Chinese erotica, you'd do well to avail yourself of books on the subject by Howard Levy. Or better yet, just dive straight into Japanese "shunga" woodblock prints. Those artists didn't sign their names either, but neither did they hide any of their considerable talents.

Good luck,

Bill H.

Subject:Re: Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Ray Mon, Mar 20, 2017

Hi Bill,
I am not a collector of Chinese or Asian erotica, so I am going to pass on reading books on the subject. But I would have if I was a collector of such items. These two vases are part of a larger set that includes a teapot (European looking shape rather than Chinese), a small tray, 4 small cups(no handle). All with similar paintings on them. I bought these on Ebay around 6-7 years ago because it was like may be $80-$100 for all. The porcelains are excellent quality, very light, except for the tray. Some one or some shop made and painted these to sell somewhere. May be they were made for export or may be they were made for some private collectors or tourists....I don't know.
So going back to my original questions, do you think these are Chinese or made to look like Chinese? Any idea who might have made them and what is the translation of the text on the vases? Does the text indicates who made them? Thanks.

Subject:Re: Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Bill H Tue, Mar 21, 2017

Definitely Chinese and made for anyone who cares to purchase them. Probably made for sale on eBay, smaller auction houses and import stores, among other places. The base has an apocryphal Qianlong mark, but the figural brushwork is naïve and lacking in the traditional esthetic for figural painting on porcelain, such as the baby doll eyes. Compare the concept of female faces and hair with a detail from a circa 1851-61 Canton famille rose plate below.

Best regards,

Bill H.



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Subject:Re: Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Bill H Mon, Mar 20, 2017

I see I've committed a syntax error in sentence 2 of my editorial. Should have said "would see..." of course. But while I'm at it, here's a comparison in artistic merit between your Chinese vase and a Japanese porcelain of this genre. The cup is only about two inches in diameter. Even close-up, the good rendering of the traditional Japanese figural painting style is undiminished.

Bill H.



Subject:Re: Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Paul Tue, Mar 21, 2017

Bill, I don't understand why you're going on and on about the "artistic merit" of these pieces when that has nothing to do with the OP's questions. Nobody is claiming that these vases are major works of art.

That said, I happen to find them rather appealing (nice legs!), and of much higher artistic quality in their rendering of the human form than, for example, the erotic line engravings on the inner sleeves of a few of the 100+ y.o. Chinese opium boxes in my collection.

In any case, I'm happy to "pardon" your editorializing, as you requested, since usually you do provide great information, and generously at that!

(Sorry, but I am unable to answer Ray's questions.)

Subject:Re: Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Bill H Thu, Mar 23, 2017

Well Paul, appreciating something you buy is the cardinal rule of collecting, so Ray's and your admissions of finding a certain appeal in the tea set is enough to shut me up as a would-be father figure and to profess to having made a few unconventional choices myself during a long career in Asia, none of which seemed to be all that kinky past the first time. ;)

Bill H

Subject:Re: Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Paul Thu, Mar 23, 2017

B.H. - I'll add a wink-wink to that. Thirteen years working in the land of smiles (80s-90s). I haven't seen it all, but I've seen a lot of it.

Subject:Re: Chinese porcelain erotic vase signature and text identification
Posted By: Ray Tue, Mar 21, 2017

Here is the rest of the set. I don't think the Chinese set is that bad. But the Japanese paintings are nice too.
I am still hoping some one can identify the maker and the age. I have done a lot of google searches and still haven't seen a similar set.




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