Chinese man kneeling w/lantern old or made to look old?

Ok, so Lillei picked this up and wants to know a bit more if possible. At 9.5”(24cm) chinese casting. I guess what I hope to learn is the patina legit or create(something I am still trying to learn more about). So old or man made old modern? Would his facial features coincide with age? Was this for a candle or just decorative? Else I hope you enjoy looking and I appreciate your time.

I am always hesitant when I see watering dirt far up underneath, and the only justification I can use in my imagination would be that at one time or another this piece was subjected to a monsoon that flooded the small village in the mountainous regions. . Hey, it does happen over there.

Thanking all.

 

You may want to see this. It's called Changxin lantern (长信宫灯), manufactured in Western Han and is one of the famous artifacts in China lol

Btw this one is a woman, so perhaps yours as well and seemingly proven by the hairstyle on the back

 

https://en.chinaculture.org/library/2008-01/22/content_37959.htm

 

Interesting article. Thanks

 

That answers all my questions, thank you @shamster. *thumbs-up* Very interesting and informative.

 

Your suspicion is rignt lol, I'm no expert in Chinese antiques but imo the chance of getting an authentic example of such top-rated object is almost 0 unless it costs a chateau

 

Amazing the crap and lies on eBay on this item. All old, all rare, all ship from China.

 

well it still makes sense since you're buying Chinese 'antique'. You can find hundreds of people buying authentic Roman gold jewellery from Thailand on etsy

 

My only question left if someone knows is what is wrong with the patina? I mean, are there any flags apparent to look for or is it more knowing true patina than identifying fake?

 

It is more oxidization than patina. Patina comes with wear, tiny scratches that make a metal look 'softer', for lack of a better word.

Most oxidization colours can be faked. Corrosion can also be faked.
But the complexity colours and textures of naturally oxidized metals of that age is difficult, if not impossible, to fake.

The oxidization on your lantern bearer looks artificial to me, but that is just my opinion.
It could have been made/faked some time ago, maybe in the first decades of the 20th century, but I would need to see more of the base.
Imo the dark blotches aren't natural, and after those were added, the item was probably buried in moist soil for a while. That is how you get the verdigris patches on top of both the copper and the dark blotches.
If the soil in the crevices doesn't wash off, it could have been mixed with glue, another method fakers use.

But more importantly, your lantern bearer lacks the finesse of the genuine piece. Fakes often have similar mask-like faces, whereas the genuine lantern bearer has a beautiful and delicate little face. To me that is the first sign, after which you look at the surface of the metal.

That said, yours is still a charming piece, and though fake, possibly an antique fake.

 

the face is a great clue, I would say also be careful with faces that are too 'modern' - considering it is a 2000 years old piece, the beauty standard would be very different and usually seems strange to modern eyes on the first glance. But when you take a closer look you can see the finesse it was executed with back to that time. Really need to see a quantity of real and fake pieces to spot that subtle difference

 

Thank you for that info, it is very helpful for me.

Considering the original Changxin Palace Lantern was unearthed in 1968 via @shamster link, I doubt very much it can be older. Unless they have been found earlier in lesser quality prior.

thanks again

 

True, I forgot about that. But I did say I would need to see more of the base to say anything for sure.

 

Very true, but had no reference to the original, so no starting point. Thanks

 

It's quantity haha, I mean you need to compare a lot of new and old pieces, and spot the modern logic of portraying figures and faces underneath, this method is widely used in painted ceramic with figure as well

 

But not necessary unpleasant to modern eyes haha, rather a feeling or instinct, this one for example is stil very pretty, so it's rather experience, just always search for more and learn more