Free estimate for your old Chinese vase

Over the past few decades, interest in China's ancient arts has grown steadily, especially in the field of ceramics. For thousands of years, this country has distinguished itself by the quality and beauty of its works, which has earned it the admiration of many nations. However, with China's rapid economic growth in recent years, attention to its artistic production has taken on a new dimension.

Almost daily, the media reports on record-breaking auctions of Chinese works in auction houses around the world. These impressive results testify to the international craze for the arts of ancient China.

Chinese ceramics, in the heart of the arts of ancient China

Chinese ceramics or porcelain has long been prized around the world for its exceptional quality. Europeans discovered Chinese porcelain in the 17th century and imported large quantities to decorate their homes. Chinese ceramics production has been exported to foreign countries for a very long time, making it one of the earliest known examples of industrial know-how geared towards conquering foreign markets. Chinese ceramics is a luxurious art that has always been highly appreciated by the Western and Middle Eastern elites.

Many pieces of Chinese porcelain can be simple recent souvenirs brought back from vacations, but they can also be very valuable old pieces. The only way to know for sure? Call in a certified expert or an auctioneer.

Chinese porcelain, collected by the elites

It has been collected by Iranian emirs, great European kings and emperors, and is still highly prized today by the Chinese elite. Chinese porcelain is considered a national cultural treasure in China and is often regarded as part of the collective memory and history of the people.

The evolution of Chinese porcelain under the different dynasties:

1. Tang Dynasty (618-907): It was during this era that porcelain production began, with the creation of three-colored ceramics (sancai) with green, brown and white hues. The production methods were still quite rudimentary at that time.
2. Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907-960): This pivotal period saw the emergence of new ceramic and glaze techniques, laying the foundation for later advances.
3. Song Dynasty (960-1279): The considerable expansion of porcelain production during the Song Dynasty led to the development of new styles and techniques, including celadon and monochrome glazes.
4. Jin Dynasty (1115-1234): Coexisting with the Song Dynasty, the Jin Dynasty also participated in the development of Chinese porcelain by making similar advances in glazes and production techniques.
5. Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368): Under the aegis of the Yuan Dynasty, underglaze painting in blue cobalt was introduced, giving rise to a new style of porcelain emblematic of China.
6. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644): Chinese porcelain reached its peak during the Ming Dynasty, with a variety of styles and designs, including blue cobalt underglaze and polychrome porcelains.
7. Qing Dynasty (1644-1911): The Qing Dynasty saw the emergence of new porcelain styles, such as famille rose (fencai), famille verte (doucai) and famille jaune (huangcai), as well as the further improvement of production techniques.
8. Republic of China (1912-1949): Porcelain production continued during the Republic of China, although styles and techniques were influenced by Western trends and political upheaval. Porcelain from this period often reflected nationalistic or revolutionary themes.

Each of these dynasties played a crucial role in the evolution of Chinese porcelain production, leaving a lasting legacy in Chinese art history.

The different signatures on Chinese porcelain:

On Chinese porcelain, signatures are often placed underneath the object and may be painted or incised. These marks may include information such as the artist's name, place of production, dynasty or auspicious wishes. The signatures are usually written in traditional Chinese characters.

Common types of marks on Chinese porcelain include:

1. Imperial Marks: These show that the coin was produced for the emperor and often bear the name of the reigning emperor.

2. Kiln marks: They indicate the place of production, for example, the famous kilns of Jingdezhen, Dehua or Yue.

3. Workshop or artist marks: These bear the name of the artist or workshop responsible for creating the piece.

4. Quality marks: these denote the superior quality of the piece, with terms like "pure" (清, qīng) or "perfect" (完美, wánměi).

5. Wish marks: They contain auspicious expressions for happiness, longevity, prosperity, etc.

It is important to know that marks on Chinese porcelain can be misleading, as they have sometimes been copied to increase the perceived value of the work. This is why it is essential to present a piece of Chinese porcelain to an auctioneer and an expert so that they can date and appraise it.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the estimate of a Chinese porcelain does not necessarily represent its true value. Auctions are often unpredictable, and buyers can win Chinese porcelain for very large sums of money, far beyond their initial estimate.

Auctioneers are experts in their field and have extensive knowledge of the different eras, styles and techniques of Chinese porcelain manufacture. By having your porcelain professionally appraised, you can get an accurate estimate of the value of your item, which can be helpful if you plan to sell or insure it. In addition, auctioneers can also provide advice on the preservation and care of Chinese porcelain, which can help preserve the object's beauty and value over the long term.