Met Chinees Zegelmerk - Table lamp - Porcelain, Brass

Chinese porcelain table lamp – Crane and Pine – iron-red four-character seal mark

Special and atmospheric Chinese porcelain table lamp, decorated with the classical depiction of a red-crowned crane among pine branches. An elegant object in which traditional Chinese symbolism is combined with restrained design and warm brass-colored details.

The cylindrical base is made of glazed porcelain in a warm, off-white shade. The decoration is executed in fine black linework with subtle red accents. Central is a graceful red-crowned crane between a pine tree and vegetation.

Crane and pine – traditional symbolism

The combination of crane and pine is a well-known motif within Chinese visual tradition and is referred to as 松鹤延年 – Songhe Yannian. The long-lived crane and always-green pine are traditionally associated with long life, steadfastness and prosperity.

The reverse side is also decorated with a small insect/dragonfly-like motif with red accents, giving the porcelain foot interesting details all around.

Iron-red four-character seal mark

At the bottom there is a square iron-red four-character seal mark. The mark is not fully sharp to read due to age, wear and build-up.

The shape and construction correspond to traditional Chinese porcelain marks. A possible reading is 同治年製 – Tongzhi Nian Zhi, literally “made during the Tongzhi period.” The historical Tongzhi reign period ran from 1862 to 1874.

The mark is not presented here as proof of a 19th-century dating. Government marks were also used on later Chinese porcelain as apocryphal tribute marks. Because of the condition of the seal, the attribution to Tongzhi is made cautiously.

For the object, a 19th-century dating is assumed. Later in the 20th century produced as an electric table lamp.

As a table lamp

The porcelain foot is finished as an electric table lamp and is fitted with a nicely shaped brass-colored metal collar, white fitting and a neat cord passage at the back with on/off switch on the cord.

The pleated lampshade shown only as a photo prop is not included. The geometric pleats give the lamp a particularly striking look and provide a soft and atmospheric diffusion of light. The combination of traditional Chinese porcelain with a calm shade fits well in both classic and Japandi, Scandinavian or eclectic interiors.

Details:
Object: table lamp
Origin: China
Dating: early 19th century
Material: glazed porcelain/ceramics and brass-colored metal
Decoration: red-crowned crane, pine tree and insect/dragonfly-like motif
Marking: iron-red four-character seal mark, possibly apocryphal 同治年製 (Tongzhi Nian Zhi)

Height of lamp base including fitting: 19.5 cm
Diameter of lamp base: 7.0 cm

Weight: 670 g

Condition

The lamp is in a beautiful vintage condition with signs of use and age appropriate to its age and use. The brass-colored parts have patina and surface signs of wear; the fitting also shows signs of aging.

At the underside there is residue, discoloration and wear of the stand surface. The iron-red seal mark is partially worn away, but still clearly present. These traces have deliberately not been restored and belong to the original vintage character of the object.

Carefully view the photos; they form an important part of the condition description.

A decorative Chinese table lamp with a beautiful combination of traditional crane and pine symbolism, porcelain decoration, and an intriguing iron-red seal mark.

This object will be shipped safely with smart packaging, registered mail and insured transport with track and trace.