Tongzhi porcelain will take your breath away! The vibrant colors and markings and patterns are each a work of art. Because I love to antique shop, I knew I needed to learn more about these pieces that so consistently captivate me.
The Tongzhi Emperor of this period assumed the throne at the age of 5! He did reign in a three-person leadership, alongside his mother. This time period (1856-1875) became the Tongzhi Restoration of the Qing government. How pertinent that the porcelain created during this period is so breathtaking too.
Pink Tongzhi Porcelain Plate
What a beautiful salmon-pink background for each of these blue and green wine-red designs. The central diadem (flower) anchors the piece and has a vivid emerald center.
Aqua & Blue Octagonal Porcelain Bowl
The vibrant blue background sets this Tongzhi-porcelain-bowl apart, all on its own. Furthermore, the rim is uniquely octagonal in shape. The rim is lined in gold and the interior is a vivid aqua. Can I get a hallelujah! These colors are truly a feast on the senses.
I include the bottom portion of this bowl in order to show the marking that represents the Tongzhi period. This doesn’t necessarily mean a piece is not Tongzhi if the mark isn’t a square, but this is just the primary marking for it.
Tongzhi Porcelain Bowl
This bowl is so obviously old! The porcelain paint is wearing off the sides making me think this piece was used with regularity, rather than owned and appreciated as decor. Perhaps this also shows that the bowl was owned by lower class, where they needed it for its utility. But what a cool story!
If you are curious where you can buy such a cool item, this one is available on Etsy. But they can also be found on websites such at 1stDibs and Ebay and Chairish. The prices will range based on rarity and assessed value but may be anywhere around $20 to $400.
So, this is both ‘Famille Rose’ as well as the Tongzhi Period. Wikipedia states, “Famille rose (French for “pink family”) is a type of Chinese porcelain introduced in the 18th century and defined by the presence of pink colour overglaze.”
Once again, we see a vibrant aqua interior to this angled bowl.
Yellow Porcelain Teacup
Porcelain with yellow background always catches my eye. It evokes happiness in me and always pairs well with the common aquas, corals and pinks so commonly used in Chinese porcelain.
Can you imagine sitting down at a table and being served tea in this cup? I’d imagine I couldn’t help but love it! Sometimes I feel as if we have lost the art of hospitality that other cultures have so successfully held on to.
Teal Chinese Porcelain Vase.
Again, the purpose of this article is just to survey various types of gorgeous Chinese porcelain and the different color palettes included. While I was on this journey, I realized that most of the time, what I was drawn to, was from the Tongzhi period.
Here is one more example of the strength of the yellow (“Juan”) background. And how it brings to life the rest of the porcelain designs.
Sometimes people don’t know what to do with a single, large vase such as this. I would use this for shelf decor! What an amazing statement this would make. Place this on one or two colorful-spine books are you are good to go! And if you need more ideas, I have written a shelf-decor design blog here.
Pink Lidded Jar, Asian Porcelain, Tongzhi Period
The thing that is so fun and unique about some of this porcelain period is the naïveté of the design. And what I mean by that is when a design is not super crowded. It has space to breathe and be seen on its own. This jar has a naive feel. And this is a good thing!
Do you ever look at some porcelain vases and just feel like the designs are so crowded you dont even know what you’re looking at? It can also happen in some Oriental rug designs, while others are not as crowded.
Perhaps this is just a personal taste, but I for sure love the naive, non-crowded designs (on porcelain and rugs)!
Cerulean and Lemon Colored Porcelain Bowl
This one is such an eye-catcher! Sometimes when plates are so beautiful, such as this, I begin thinking of a way to display it, either on a wall or on a plate stand on a shelf. This piece could even be the top of a plate wall, among other yellow porcelain plates.
Rare Tongzhi Bowl, Western and Chinese Peoples
Have you ever seen a more unique bowl? I got so excited when I saw this show up on a website called Worthpoint. In the description, it states that we are looking and both Chinese and Western people. I have never seen a depiction such like this. But my Art History roots are coming out, ready to hear a long and detailed lecture just on this one bowl (insert contented smiley face).
This concludes a brief survey of some beautiful and unique Tongzhi porcelain. I hope it inspires you to keep you eye out on your next antiquing adventure (whether online or in person!)
