Reference library
Marks & dating
Reign marks help place a piece in time — but on Canton export porcelain they are often apocryphal, added to honour an earlier era rather than to date the piece. Use this as a starting reference, alongside body, glaze, and enamel clues.
| Period | Reign | Years | Mark script | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qing | Qianlong 乾隆 | 1735–1796 | Six-character seal or kaishu | Peak Canton export era; many later pieces carry apocryphal Qianlong marks. |
| Qing | Jiaqing 嘉慶 | 1796–1820 | Six-character | Rose Medallion reserves become denser and more gilded. |
| Qing | Daoguang 道光 | 1820–1850 | Six-character seal | Classic mid-period Canton famille rose. |
| Qing | Guangxu 光緒 | 1875–1908 | Six-character | Large volume of export Rose Medallion; quality varies widely. |
| Republic | Republic 民國 | 1912–1949 | Varies / unmarked | Much export ware is unmarked or carries "China / Made in China" for the US market. |
Not sure what you have? Message us — we're happy to take a look.