How do I date an old pottery figure?

Dating relies on stylistic clues, paste composition, and any impressed factory marks found on the underside. Comparative study of known manufacturer outputs helps narrow down the decade of production. glaze characteristics and wear patterns also offer physical evidence of age, separating nineteenth-century originals from later reproductions.

What are Shiwan ceramic figures?

Shiwan figures originate from kilns in southern China, celebrated for realistic modelling and dramatic expressive poses. They frequently depict Buddhist lions, mythical beings, and local figures. These pieces typically feature thick, streaky brown and green glazes that pool richly around the crevices of the clay.

How were Victorian animal figures displayed?

Victorian dog and lion figures often stood symmetrically on mantelpieces or flanking interior hearths as decorative pairs. Collectors frequently placed them on side tables or within glazed display cabinets. Some heavy pottery models rested on custom wooden plinths or ebonised bases to protect furniture surfaces.

What is sancai glaze?

Sancai is a low-firing ceramic glaze technique using lead-silicate bases coloured with metallic oxides. The term translates to three colours, typically encompassing amber-brown, green, and cream. Potters allowed these fluid glazes to run and mix naturally during the kiln firing, creating distinctive mottled patterns on Tang Dynasty style figures.