Read the stamp
Qianlong mark red
In a Qianlong mark red, a red seal-style mark is a colour-and-script description rather than a date by itself. Marks can use regular or seal script.
The six-character formula
大清乾隆年製 reads Da Qing Qianlong Nian Zhi: made in the Great Qing, Qianlong reign. 大清 names the dynasty, 乾隆 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.
