Poem or signature?

[Kalvins]

Hi, This is written on the bottom of my pot. Please can anyone translate, I would like to know what it reads. Many thanks in advance.

[wyardley]

Someone can probably give a better answer, but I'll give it a shot.... from drawing in some of the characters in nicku, looks like it's something like "孟臣 甲子仲冬" -- the left two characters appear to be Meng Chen (search the forum if you don't know about Hui Meng Chen), and if I'm not mistaken, the rest indicates the time of manufacture.

You should flip the photo right-side up.

See also
http://www.marshaln.com/2008/01/monday-january-28-2008/

[MarshalN]

Yeah, it's upside down, and Will's reading of it is correct - jiazi zhongdong, mengcheng. Mengcheng is the name. Jiazi zhongdong is the time when the pot was made, although that's so cliche it doesn't really mean anything.

The pot itself looks like a recent attempt to make it look like an old zhuni pot

[Kalvins]

Thank you. Right side up now, Yes it's a new pot, the clay seems to be very good although it's quite a thin walled as you can see from the handle, perfect lid fit and a beautiful pour. I bought it in London on a recent trip.

[chrl42]

甲子 or jiazi is one of 60-cycle that counts years..broadly used in east asia, originated in ancient China. 1924, 1984, 2044 belongs to jiazi-year, during early-80's was famous for high-quality Pin Zini provided by Factory-1, in 84 their distribution rose to peak, so they are called Jia Zi Ni.

zhongdong means mid winter with mengchen being old Zhuni master.

However, assuming that pot to be made in this decade, that jiazi claiming seems out-of-date

[Kalvins]

Yeah, it's upside down, and Will's reading of it is correct - jiazi zhongdong, mengcheng. Mengcheng is the name. Jiazi zhongdong is the time when the pot was made, although that's so cliche it doesn't really mean anything.

The pot itself looks like a recent attempt to make it look like an old zhuni pot

Thanks Marshal - Can I ask you for your kind help on this chop translation. many thanks.

[MarshalN]

Inkstone?

It's just the name, Mobaozhai means the Hut of Inked Treasures, and zhengzong just means "proper lineage". Lots of fakes with this chop around, I think

[Kalvins]

Inkstone?

It's just the name, Mobaozhai means the Hut of Inked Treasures, and zhengzong just means "proper lineage". Lots of fakes with this chop around, I think

Yes inkstone. Thank you again for your wealth of knowledge.