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I am somewhat confused regarding what is the correct seal mark for the Chien Lung (Qianlong) period. I have read that the "candelabrum" part of the mark should have 5 prongs. Yet I see in many auction catalogs and books that even if it has only 3 prongs, it is still listed as mark and period. Why is that.
To my opinion - and I have to stress this is my opinion as a private collector only - I would not recommend anybody to pay an "Imperial Qianlong mark-and period" price for anything with only three prongs on the "candelabra" (Part of the sixth "Qi" character) without taking the whole mark - and the piece - into serious consideration.
To simplify matters I enclose one as far as I am concerned, genuine mark. I could get really longwinded here but if you send me any specific Qianlong mark, I believe it is possibly not only to say if it is genuine but also possibly to indicate during which period it is actually made.
Thank you for your interest.
Best regards,
Jan-Erik Nilsson
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