We use a simple, rapid x-ray spectrometric method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of background trace element concentrations of manganese, cobalt and arsenic in 103 pieces of Chinese porcelain dating from the early Qing dynasty to 1984 which were analyzed in undecorated regions. Of these, 46 pieces were also analyzed on regions decorated in underglazed cobalt blue and the net ratios of manganese/cobalt and arsenic/cobalt measured. The results are discussed and show that this affords a simple nondestructive method of identifying modern fake Chinese porcelain. -- AATA