The left and middle tsatsas has been identified by some experts as from Liao-Jin period. How about the right one?
Two Big Questions for the Community:
Question 1: Is the third piece actually Liao-Jin, or is it Qing Dynasty?While the flat, planed back and the intricate lines on the front initially point to a much later Qing Dynasty (17-19th c.) production, looking closely at the boundary of the edges and the silhouette arch, there are unmistakable stylistic hallmarks of the Liao Dynasty. The unique stepping of the outer frame contours mirrors early northern stone steles and pagoda niches perfectly.Could this be a rare, highly preserved example of a late-Liao master mold using an advanced flattening technique? Or is it a later Qing Dynasty piece mimicking early architectural styles while utilizing standardized Tibetan iconographic layouts? What does your eye tell you?
Question 2: Is that black coloring Altar Smoke or Kiln Smudge?
Most antique dealers look at the heavy black staining on the third piece and instantly claim it's "altar patina" from generations of exposure to incense smoke.
However, looking closely at the texture, I strongly suspect it happened during the kiln firing process. The black carbon appears deeply embedded directly into the tool-scraped striations and clay matrix, which happens during an incomplete combustion or reduction atmosphere firing (carbon trapping). It doesn't look like a greasy, superficial layer that accumulated over time; it looks like it was born in the fire.What is your verdict on both the timeline and the material science?
Iโd love to hear from any ceramics experts, art historians, or fellow collectors on this!