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How to recognize antique Chinese porcelain ?

Chinese porcelain, a symbol of refinement and ancestral craftsmanship, has fascinated collectors and art lovers for centuries. The first pieces appeared in China under the Han dynasty, but it was under the Tang dynasty that they began to stand out for their quality and beauty. The craftsmen of this era laid the foundations of a know how that would continue to refine until it reached its apogee under the Song dynasty. These delicate, elegant pieces embody the history and culture of a thousand-year-old civilization.

However, distinguishing genuine Chinese porcelain from imitation can be a complex task, as manufacturing techniques and styles have evolved over time.


Small covered wine pot or teapot, China, 1662 - 1722, conserved at the MET, New York

 

Four elements characterize Chinese porcelain: paste, decoration, glaze and the presence or absence of marks or inscriptions.


The paste is a key indicator of the age and origin of the piece. Antique porcelain generally has a fine, solid paste, with a color that can vary from milky white to bluish white. In principle, experts distinguish between porcelain made before and after the 20th century, where iron is almost absent from the kaolin. For this reason, you need to pay close attention to the manufacturing processes, which vary from one period to another.


Decorative motifs and shape can also be distinctive elements. Indeed, each dynasty has its own preferences in terms of style and themes represented, which can help with dating.


Finally, variations in glaze color, texture and thickness can be revealing, as can the presence of marks or inscriptions that would provide valuable information about the workshop where the piece was made, the date of production or the person who commissioned it.


The mark consists of six to four handwritten characters arranged in two or three columns. Ming imperial marks are often surrounded by a double circle, while seal or sigillary marks are set in a square, the whole formed by fine, clean, regular lines. 


Plate with flower vase, China, mid-17th century, conserved at the MET, New York

 

To authenticate a piece of Chinese porcelain, start by examining it in natural light, looking for signs of wear and tear such as crazing of the glaze or wear to the decoration, which may indicate a certain age. The feel of the piece can also reveal the texture and quality of the porcelain, as older pieces often have a softer surface and a less uniform glaze than modern reproductions. The weight of the piece is also important, as early pieces were lighter due to their finer paste.


Finally, it is possible to use ultraviolet light to reveal restorations and repairs that would be invisible to the naked eye, where restored areas will appear in a lighter color under ultraviolet light.

Vase, China, Ming dynasty (1368- 1644), Wanli mark and period, conserved at the MET, New York

 

As for the estimate, this will vary according to several criteria. First and foremost is the state of preservation. If the porcelain is missing or cracked, or if it has been more or less well restored, the price can easily vary for similar pieces. The degree of rarity of the object is the other decisive factor. Also, the beauty of the decoration and the shapes vary according to the period. For example, imperial pieces of very high quality can be distinguished from those produced in the ordinary way, as can decorations intended for export, which can sometimes differ from those produced for the domestic market. Finally, the quality of the material and the age of a piece of imperial Chinese porcelain will influence the valuation.


Ultimately, it is by analyzing the paste, glaze, marks and decorative motifs specific to each dynasty that we can attempt to situate Chinese porcelain in its historical context, providing a fascinating insight into the evolution of Chinese civilization. 

 

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