16th/17th C. Wanli Period Chinese Export Kraak Blue & White 'Deer' Plate, 8.25" DIA
Details & Specifications
16th/17th C. Wanli Period Chinese Export Kraak Blue & White 'Deer' Plate, 8.25" DIA
Lot 208 - Wanli Period c. 1575-1620, Ming Dynasty. Painted to the center with a pair of deer beneath a fruit tree in a landscape scene , the cavetto decorated with panels enclosing floral sprays. ANNOUNCEMENT TO ALL NEW BIDDERS - New Rules & Policies are in Effect! This applies only to 'New Bidders' of Room Tonic's auctions... Here is what you need to know... WINNING BIDDERS - You have not won your items until you have paid for them. You have 48 hours to pay your invoice, or you forfeit your win to the next highest bidder.No exceptions!
COMBINED SHIPPING - There is a myth out there that combined shipping saves money.Let's dispel that myth right now. We are shippingporcelainandfragile works of art.We pack them carefully and we often double box items. This increases the security and safety of your items. It also increases our costs.Do not expect to see savings by consolidating items for combined shipping. Read our Shipping Policy for more details on why combined shipping increases costs.
This applies to all bidders, new and known... BUYER PAYS ALL SHIPPING FEES, TAXES, AND DUTIES.No exceptions!
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Image Gallery
Video Gallery
Exhibit A - Video of Item in Studio Lighting
Lot 208 - Kraak Plate
Provenance
Private estate of an Asian art collector in Fairfield, CT who also possessed dozens of items from the J.P. Morgan Collection. We will be selling some of those pieces as well in the coming weeks ahead.
Bubble Signatures In Tony Allen's book, "Allen's Authentication of Later Chinese Porcelain (1796 - 1999AD)", one of the unmistakable ways to determine fakes from authentic mark and period porcelains, is by looking closely at the bubble signatures in the glaze. These small bubbles can be seen with a loupe and they are present in authentic antique ceramics as well as modern fakes, albeit with a few key differences.
Modern fakes have a bubble signature that appears more like fine granulated salt or what Tony describes as a very fine 'icing sugar'. Depending on the magnification, the bubbles might not even be visible through the loupe. Modern bubble signatures are extremely small, dense, and show no variation in bubble size. This is because modern fakes are all fired in electric kilns that distribute heat evenly throughout the kiln, and with exact and consistent temperature control throughout the firing.
Authentic antique glazed ceramics, both porcelain and pottery have bubble signatures that are quite the opposite of modern fakes. These signatures have 'countable bubbles' that can be easily seen through a loupe of at least 10x magnification. The bubbles vary in size, and density. This is due to the nature of the kilns where they were fired. Wood fired kilns have variations in temperature throughout the kiln and due to the absence of electronic controls, temperatures would invariably fluctuate throughout the firing. Uneven distribution of heat throughout the kiln is what causes the variations in size and density of the glaze bubbles. The two methods of firing have distinct and unmistakable outcomes for bubble signatures in the glaze. The one thing that modern copies cannot fake, is the physics of the firing process.
Exhibit B - Examples of Bubble Signatures in Tony Allen's Book
Tony Allen's Book Published in 2013
'Countable Bubbles', p. 55
'Countable Bubbles', p. 95
'Icing Sugar Bubbles' (Modern Fake), p. 96
In efforts to document glaze bubble signatures in Chinese ceramics, Room Tonic will be including glaze bubble signatures of porcelains and pottery where glaze is present and where it is useful and practical to do so.
The size of the bubbles compared to Lots 206 and 207 suggests that this plate could be considerably older than the Wanli period.
Exhibit C - Glaze Bubble Signature of Item
Lot 208-A
Lot 208-B
Lot 208-C
Lot 208-D
For reference purposes, we have included microscopic glaze bubble images of one of the world's most iconic blue and white porcelain vessels, Augustus the Strong's "Dragoneer" Vase on display at the Peabody Essex Museum of Salem, Massachusetts. The microscopic images below show us all what a bubble signature looks like on Chinese porcelains circa 1710.
Exhibit D - Bubble Signature Example of Augustus the Strong's Soldier Vase
Museum Placard
Front View of Covered Vase
Diagonal View of Covered Vase
Profile View with Area of Focus
Area of Focus Zoomed into the Dragon's Eye
Bubble Signature of the Dragon's Eye
Close-Up of Bubble Signature
Zoomed Out View of Bubble Signature
Augustus the Strong's Soldier Vase The term 'soldier vase' stems from an unusual diplomatic exchange between Augustus the Strong of Saxony and Frederick the Great of Prussia in 1717. Augustus traded 600 cavalrymen, known as dragoons, for a collection of 150 Chinese porcelain vases. Many of which were massive in size exceeding three feet in height. Since that time, large scale porcelain vases have come to be known as soldier vases or sometimes, dragoon vases.
In his article, Augustus The Strong "Dragoneer" Vase, Asian art ceramics expert and founder of Gotheborg.com, Jan-Erik Nilsson states, "...that in the history of Chinese porcelain there is only a few pieces that are so famous that they have got individual names." As one example, he identifies the "David Vases" at the Percival David Foundation in London. By any measure, these vases are probably the most famous and well-known around the world. He goes on to say that, "…the only other pieces I can think of is the "Dragoneer-vases" of Augustus the Strong of Sachsony (Saxony)".
Condition Report
Excellent condition with no hairlines, chips, or repairs. The dish has minor fritting, kiln grit, and other small firing flaws to be expected of a plate from this time period.
Exhibit E - Supplemental Photos
Front of Plate in UV light
Back of Plate in UV light
Exhibit F - Video Clips of Item in UV Light
Lot 208 - Kraak Plate in UV Light
For comparison purposes, we've included photo images below of a Canton plate with defects under UV light with the same exposure as taken with the images above. The Canton plate is not included as part of this auction sale listing.
Exhibit G - Canton Plate with Defects in UV Light for Comparison Purposes Only
Front of Canton Plate
Back of Canton Plate
Hairline and Firing Crack
Rim Chips and Interior Foot Repair
About Us
Room Tonic is pleased to present some of the finest 18th and 19th Century Chinese Export porcelain as well as other Asian art and antique items from New England's finest estates and private collections. We have Chinese Export items from the Ming and Qing dynasties. We have bought and sold pieces as early as the Jaijing, Longqing, and Wanli periods to the Transitional and Kangxi periods, and those periods that followed under emperors Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, Guangxu, and Republic period wares as well. As illustrated above, all items are inspected for an accurate account of item age and condition. Any piece bearing hairline cracks or chips will be highlighted and disclosed in the Description and Condition Report above. Many of the items up for auction will have varying degrees of enamel wear and gilding loss. Please inspect all photo images closely before bidding.
Below are next week's listings... Look for them weekly at 8pm EST on Thursday evening.
Blue & White Wares
18th C. Famille Rose Ware
Christie's Nanking Cargo
19th C. Rose Mandarin Wares
Current Exhibitions Comparative Hell: Arts of Asian Underworlds
Between February 28th, 2023 through May 7th, 2023, the Asia Society and Museum located at 725 Park Avenue, New York, NY, will be exhibiting The first comprehensive exhibition in the United States to explore portrayals of hell across the Asian religious traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Islam, Comparative Hell: Arts of Asian Underworlds, examines how systems of belief and the underworlds within them are manifest in the rich artistic creations of Asia.
Exceptional and visually stunning artworks explore the impact of conceptions of hell on Asian visual culture over time. Didactic paintings, sculptures, and sacred objects introduce the notions of Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, and Islamic cosmology, as well as ideas about judgment, punishment, and salvation after death—many of which are shared by these traditions. Exhibition artworks portray religious threats of fiery torture as a means to shape values and beliefs, to instill virtuous behavior, and to encourage atonement for sins—reflecting a universal human desire for spiritual transformation.
The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue with contributions by curator and editor, Adriana Proser, and esteemed scholars Geok Yian Goh, Phyllis Granoff, Christiane Gruber, Michelle Yun Mapplethorpe, and D. Max Moerman.
Payment Policy
All payments are now managed by eBay.
Repeat Bidders, Friends, and Clients - You know who you are. The rules below for 'New Bidders' does not apply to you. Just be aware that eBay will automatically cancel your winning bid within four days of auction close. We have no control over their workflow or processes.
New Bidders - All payments must be made within forty-eight (48) hours or two (2) days of auction close. If payment is not made within the 48-hour window after auction close, buyer will forfeit their win to the next highest bidder.
Shipping Policy
If you won multiple items within an auction week, they will automatically be combined for shipping by eBay. You do not need to message us to ask.
There is a myth out there that combined shipping saves money.Let's dispel that myth right now. We are shipping porcelain and fragile works of art. We pack them carefully and we often double box items. This increases costs.Do not expect to see savings by consolidating items for combined shipping. Individual items are already packed at the time of the listing. In some cases, we don't have boxes big enough to consolidate all the items that eBay automatically combined for shipping on your behalf. Combined shipping increases dim weights, box sizes, shipping rates, and ultimately our costs, of which, we are unable to pass on to our winning bidders. Please note, under no circumstances will we combine shipping to include items closing in the following week. You win, you pay, we ship immediately.No exceptions!
BUYER PAYS ALL SHIPPING FEES, TAXES, AND DUTIES. Shipping costs including taxes and duties are calculated by eBay and the courier (e.g. UPS, USPS, FedEx, et al.), based on the shipping address you provide, and the carton information such as dimensions and weight that we provide at the time of our listing. Do not complain to us about prices. We have no control over them. Do not ask for discounts, or to negotiate on any costs related to shipping or taxes whatsoever. Buyer pays all shipping fees, taxes, and duties. No exceptions! Pay your bill within 24 hours of auction close or you risk forfeiting your items to the next highest bidder.
All items ship from our retail shop located at 22B Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, MA 01945. We strive to ship the same day payment is received. However, we do not work on the holidays so on occasion we will ship within a few days at the most. Please do not forget to leave positive feedback and a five-star rating. Shipping is done via USPS or UPS. All items have tracking numbers which are emailed to the winning bidder. Any item valued $250 or higher will have a signature confirmation at no extra charge. Room Tonic also buys insurance up to the value of the item or items being shipped at no extra charge to the winning bidder.
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International Buyers
BUYER PAYS ALL SHIPPING FEES, TAXES, AND DUTIES. Shipping costs including taxes and duties are calculated by eBay and the courier (e.g. UPS, USPS, FedEx, et al.), based on the shipping address you provide, and the carton information such as dimensions and weight that we provide at the time of our listing. Do not complain to us about prices. We have no control over them. Do not ask for discounts, or to negotiate on any costs related to shipping, taxes, or duties whatsoever. We have no ability or control over international eBay invoices. Below is the warning we get when we attempt to change invoices for international buyers.
Buyer pays all shipping fees, taxes, and duties. No exceptions! Pay your bill within 48 hours of auction close, or you risk forfeiting your items to the next highest bidder.
Please check with your country's customs office prior to bidding/buying to determine what these additional costs will be. We claim the value of the package by the ending item price. No exceptions! It is against the law to claim any item as a gift to avoid customs fees. Please do not ask us to do so. International delivery can take up to three weeks and sometime as long as six to arrive due to any number of reasons for delay (i.e., courier delays, customs delays, etc.), so please do not leave negative feedback because of delays beyond our control.
Returns & Refund Policies
New items, Open Box items, and Used/Like New Condition items are eligible for return if authorized and approved by Room Tonic within 14 days after either (a) the close of each auction or (b) the date of purchase of an item sold on the ‘Buy It Now’ buying format. Buyer will be given a Return Merchandise Authorization number which must be labeled on the packaging of the item eligible for return. The approved item must be shipped back to Room Tonic within three (3) business days of the RMA being issued. Failure of Buyer to provide a tracking number to Room Tonic of the item being returned within this three-day return shipping window will forfeit their RMA and the approval for return and refund will be revoked. Room Tonic must receive the item(s) being returned within seven (7) days of being shipped. If item(s) are not received within the seven-day return window, the item(s) will not be accepted, and their delivery will be refused and directed to be sent back to sender. Items must be shipped back in their original packaging and the items must be received in the same new condition as when they were originally packaged and shipped. Any signs of wear, nicks, scratches, or chips that were not previously disclosed will result in the Full Refund being reduced to a Partial Refund and the amount to be refunded will be determined solely by Room Tonic at Room Tonic’s discretion based on the altered condition, wear, or damage to the returned item(s), and Room Tonic’s ability to resell the item(s). Items that are sold as Used, Vintage, or Antique are sold “as-is” and they are not eligible for return or refund. Please ask all questions prior to bidding. Buyers are responsible for all return shipping costs. Item must be returned in the same condition as it was depicted in the photos and videos of its eBay Listing. If the buyer should receive an item that was damaged in transit, photos and video must be taken immediately in its original carton box and packaging. Refunds will not be granted without evidence of damage to the item and its original packaging, box, or carton.
Legal Terms of Sale
We try our very best to represent all items as accurately as possible. Items are guaranteed as described. Please read the whole description and look at pictures carefully as they are considered part of the description. Interpretation of condition and measurements are the buyer's responsibility. Colors may not always be exact. Cameras will sometimes alter the color of items based on lighting and exposure. Item colors may deviate slightly from those seen in the photograph images, however this cannot be considered a cause for accidental or deliberate misrepresentation. Antiques and collectible items are guaranteed to be authentic. If an item is not described accurately due to mistakes or human error, please bring it to our attention as quickly as possible so we can address it. We are aware that mistakes do happen and we want our customers to be happy. We will refund any misrepresented item. By confirming your bid, you are confirming that you have read and understand this listing and all of its terms thoroughly.
'Countable Bubbles', p. 55
'Countable Bubbles', p. 95
'Icing Sugar Bubbles' (Modern Fake), p. 96
In efforts to document glaze bubble signatures in Chinese ceramics, Room Tonic will be including glaze bubble signatures of porcelains and pottery where glaze is present and where it is useful and practical to do so.
Lot 208-B
Lot 208-C
Lot 208-D
For reference purposes, we have included microscopic glaze bubble images of one of the world's most iconic blue and white porcelain vessels, Augustus the Strong's "Dragoneer" Vase on display at the Peabody Essex Museum of Salem, Massachusetts. The microscopic images below show us all what a bubble signature looks like on Chinese porcelains circa 1710.
Front View of Covered Vase
Diagonal View of Covered Vase
Profile View with Area of Focus
Area of Focus Zoomed into the Dragon's Eye
Bubble Signature of the Dragon's Eye
Close-Up of Bubble Signature
Zoomed Out View of Bubble Signature
Augustus the Strong's Soldier Vase
Back of Plate in UV light
Back of Canton Plate
Hairline and Firing Crack
Rim Chips and Interior Foot Repair
18th C. Famille Rose Ware
Christie's Nanking Cargo
19th C. Rose Mandarin Wares
