Collecting China

There have been times when fine China has outpaced stocks, bonds and the money market, with a yearly increase of 15% or more. A 14^th century pilgrim flask that sold at a Doyle auction in 2003 went for $5.8 million. This was the uppermost price ever paid for a Ming Dynasty Chinese porcelain.

China is pottery that contains the mineral products kaolin and feldspar (for flawlessness) and is fired at very extreme heat. The manufacturing of China started in the late 10^th century.

It is complex to recognize a stage by the shape or color of a piece. It demands a lot of looking. Nevertheless, there are a small number of large generalizations. The original porcelains are white wares of the Northern Sung dynasty, termed Ting. The first blue-and-white comes into sight during the Yuan period. They are identified as Mohammedian blue, because of both cobalt and techniques used to make the wares were brought in from Persia. The flower-pattern and figural decorations on porcelain with a predominant background color are 17^th and 18^th century. The monochromes are essentially developments of the 18^th century. They were tremendously fashionable with collectors in the early part of this century.

The most preferred items seem to be the early Ming blue-and-white pieces bearing a reign mark, which are the highest priced. In recent years, a very strong interest for reign marks has developed. The reign mark or seal was placed on the object as a sign of high esteem or goodwill. In Ming pieces, they are essential.

It is feasible to start a collection without paying an unnecessary amount of money. For the new collector, transitional blue-and-white ware, which was made in the 17^th century, between the end of the Ming and the beginning of the Ch'ing dynasties, is even now reasonably priced. A hypothetical sleeve vase made between 1640 and 1650, with some nice notched decorations, should cost 2,500 or more in perfect condition. That is not very much to pay when you consider the price of other antiques of equal artistry.

Another relatively modest way to start is to export wares made for European and American markets, especially those bearing family arms or marks. They were made from the 18^th into the 19^th century, often as tea or dinner services. Prices could run from about $200 for a small plate up to $5,000 to $8,000 for a fine tureen.

China is not difficult to care for just as long as it isn't dropped. China is very durable. One must use reasonable caution, and wash it in soapy water. There are hundreds of books on the subject of Chinese porcelain, but the following are unequaled for anyone who is seriously interested in the field. They can be found on-line, bookstores and libraries.

• Chinese Ceramics, A New Comprehensive Survey from the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco by He Li
• Chinese Pottery and Porcelain by SJ. Vainker
• A Handbook of Chinese Ceramics by Suzanne G. Valenstein
• Underglaze Blue and Red: Elegant Decoration of Porcelain from Yuan, Ming, and Qing by Wang Qingzheng
• The Chinese Potter by Margaret Medley
• Chinese Blue and White Porcelain by Duncan Macintosh