Identification guide
Jiaqing mark
In a Jiaqing mark, marks can use regular or seal script. A red seal-style mark is a colour-and-script description rather than a date by itself.
The six-character formula
大清嘉慶年製 reads Da Qing Jiaqing Nian Zhi: made in the Great Qing, Jiaqing reign. 大清 names the dynasty, 嘉慶 the reign and 年製 the making formula. Four-character versions omit the dynasty characters. Marks can use regular or seal script.
Reign names for comparison
| Reign | Characters | Reign years |
|---|---|---|
| Kangxi | 康熙 | 1662–1722 |
| Qianlong | 乾隆 | 1736–1795 |
| Jiaqing | 嘉慶 | 1796–1820 |
What to check next
Read vertical columns from the right, keeping the original layout. A red seal-style mark is a colour-and-script description rather than a date by itself. Compare the porcelain, foot and decoration with the reign inscription because later honouring marks repeat the same characters.