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Expert: - 8/18/2011


Question
markings
markings
please help me decipher the markings on the bottom of a bronze forged item that I found in a closet.  I have no idea what the item really is or how old it is.

Thank you

Answer
Markings with Numeric
Markings with Numeric

Item of Similar Year of Making
Item of Similar Year o
Hello, Claire,

Thank you for your question.

While I am not an archeologist, and no expert in antiques, I find your item extremely interesting.

However, the image that you posted was up-side-down.  I have turned it around and inserted numeric next to each character. Here's what the markings are about:

1. 文. Pronounced as "Wen"
2. 政. Pronounced as "Zheng"
3. 年. Pronounced as "Nian"
4. 驛. Pronounced as "Yi"
5. 泯. Pronounced as "Min"  
6. 鑄. Pronounced as "Zhu"

1+2+3 "文政年" (Wen Zheng Nian) refers to the year your item was cast: 1818. Yes! 1818AD, which is equivalent to "Siao Whoa 38" of the Japanese Calendar.

5+6 "驛泯" (Yi Min) is the name of the artist who cast the bronze item. (Note: these two markings (characters) are severely distorted. As such, I am merely guesstimating.)

7 "鑄" (Zhu) means to cast something. Usually, metal items.

I have a fairly similar image on my database. I have posted it for your reference.

Depends on how well your item has been kept (and, what exactly it is), antiques of this age group could be sold for serious money.  If you want me to do some more research for you, please write to me at SIRWILLIAM@MAIL.COM

I hope you'll find the above information helpful.

Sir William  

Sir William

Expertise

My mother-tongue is Chinese and I received formal Western education. I can help you with (English>Chinese; Chinese>English) translations for free. Please limit your question within 30 words. I will not assist in racially discriminatory, vulgar and lewd questions. Unless I am away from my base, the normal turnaround time is approximately 24 hours.

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I am a professional hotelier with extensive senior managerial/training experience in China, Canada and Australia.

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