Enamel on Copper bowl from China ??

tamrock

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This is something I picked up cheap at the TS. I'm not so certain of the age?. When I looked online, I'm finding some that are similar, but not the same decorative artwork and they're being described as Chinese Canton enamel pieces, dating from the 1930s. One I saw said it was from the late 19th century. I was thinking these bowl had to have been made later like the 1950s to 1970s?. Just looking for some options. The piece measures 2-1/8" tall x 5-1/2" wide. The condition is rather nice with no impact damage, but only a few short hairline fractures on the inside rim, which don't appear to be from any impact, but maybe stress cracking either by fluctuations in the temperature or in the process of when it was first made?
 

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goldencoin

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Good morning, cloissone is one my favorite things to buy at thrift stores. That one is an unusual piece altogether. Generally, cloissone pieces are made with oriental themes, but this one seems made for western tastes. The color scheme, shape, and counterglaze are all different than typical stuff. Usually, when it's marked "china" instead of "made in china" would indicate earlier than 1921. This website has more information https://collect-sell.com/japanese-cloisonne-vs-chinese-cloisonne/

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Red-Coat

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I have to disagree with the above. Firstly, I wouldn’t exactly call this ‘cloisonné’… it is, as you said, Canton-type enamelware.

Secondly (my understanding is that) the requirement for the words “made in” to accompany country of origin was introduced by a revision to the McKinley tariff Act in 1914, although it’s true that this wasn’t rigorously enforced until around 1921. However, the 1930 revision to the Act did not include this requirement and, since then, only the name of the country (in English) has been required. The exception is when the goods have any other country name as part of the wording on them which could be construed as indicating the origin. Only then are the words “made in” (or similar wording such as “product of”) required in addition to the actual country of origin.

The US had no formal trade with mainland China from 1949 until the mid-1970s but the marking on the base would be consistent with a piece made in the 1930s or 1940s, which is where I would put it. In the absence of any maker indications, I think you could safely assume it to be cheap export ware.
 

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tamrock

tamrock

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Thank you RC. It's a little older than I thought. Yes I did believe it to be an inexpensive piece made for Chinese export. It was under $3.00 and I believe it would sell for maybe as high as $15. to $20. I'm hoping and you never know, as it could go for more.
 

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