Red Under-Glaze of the Xuande Period: The red under-glaze from the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty is renowned for its pure color and meticulous craftsmanship. Kangxi and Yongzheng period imitations include items like bowls with three fish, large bowls with cloud and dragon patterns, and vases with red under-glaze white dragons. The imitations from the Kangxi period often lack the delicacy of those from Yongzheng, but their styles are closer to the Xuande originals, making them highly deceptive. Modern imitations from Taiwan and abroad have reached a high level of quality in body and glaze, but the blue and white inscriptions tend to be too bright compared to the originals.
Xuande Wucai (Five Colors): Due to the scarcity of surviving examples, Wucai from the Xuande period has been imitated since the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty. Most imitations carry Xuande marks, though their shapes and patterns differ significantly from the originals.
Chenghua Doucai: Chenghua period Doucai is highly valued and rare. Imitations began during the Jiajing period, with the most common imitations being play cups and lotus pattern plates. These imitations focused on shapes and patterns but carried the marks of their own period. Imitations from the Longqing period include shallow cups with round flower patterns and mandarin duck lotus plates, with marks resembling official kiln marks. The Wanli period imitations include large bowls with round flower patterns and mandarin duck lotus bowls, with inscriptions similar to those of Wanli official kilns.
Kangxi Imitations: Kangxi period imitations mainly included Doucai cups with chicken motifs, either marked with Chenghua period marks or those of the Kangxi period. The glaze of these imitations is not as rich as the original Chenghua glaze, and the patterns are less vivid. Yongzheng period imitations included items like Doucai cups with chicken motifs and flower butterfly bowls, similar to Kangxi imitations. Qianlong period imitations are fewer, typically including chicken motif cups and play plates, often with imperial poems on the outer walls and inscribed with “Qianlong imitation” marks.
Jiajing Wucai: Kangxi period imitations of Jiajing Wucai carried similar inscriptions but had characteristics of the Kangxi period. Republican era imitations included large jars with dragon motifs and fish-patterned jars, sometimes very finely made.
Wanli Wucai: Wanli period Wucai was widely imitated during the Kangxi period, with items like flower vases, small boxes with figure motifs, and dragon motif jars. These imitations were finely made, with solid bodies and inscriptions similar to those of Wanli Wucai. Later imitations, from the Guangxu period to the Republic of China, included various objects, often with brightly colored blue and white decorations and a glowing glaze.
Kangxi Wucai: Known for its bright and elegant style, Kangxi Wucai has been widely imitated. Guangxu and Republican era imitations are numerous, often with overly bright colors and various motifs, including flowers, dragons, and human figures.
Kangxi Three Colors: Famous for its clean and elegant style, Kangxi Three Colors has been imitated since the Qianlong period. Imitations included various forms such as bottles, vases, jars, and figurines. Guangxu and Republican era imitations were often less lively in terms of painting style and motif.
Kangxi Enamel Colors: Republican era imitations of Kangxi enamel colors, mainly bowls, differed from the originals in glaze and color. These imitations often had overly white or pink glazes and less vibrant colors. Some high-quality imitations, like bowls with peony motifs on a pink background, still lacked the clarity of original Kangxi pieces.
Yongzheng Enamel Colors: Most imitations from the Guangxu and Republican periods were made on old bodies with newly added enamel colors, such as bowls with peony or bamboo motifs. The quality of these imitations was generally lower than the originals.
Yongzheng Doucai: Republican era imitations often included brush pots and drum-shaped jars, closely resembling the originals but with less realistic figures. Modern imitations from Beijing and Taiwan also closely resemble the originals but are slightly thicker in body.
Qianlong Famille Rose: Guangxu period imitations of Qianlong Famille Rose included items like vases and bowls with peach or deer motifs. These imitations often had overly bright colors and less distinct patterns. Some pieces used old Qianlong bodies with newly added Famille Rose decorations.
Each of these notable types reflects the rich history and high craftsmanship of Ming and Qing painted porcelain, despite the many imitations produced throughout history.
