How to Value: Chinese Ceramics & Porcelain

When valuing Chinese ceramics there are three key factors to consider: authenticity, age and condition.

China’s potters have a long history of copying older and more prestigious ceramics, partly out of reverence for the original artisans but also as forgeries for unsuspecting buyers. The practice is still very much alive today but there are several ways in which you can identify fake ceramics. As forgeries become more sophisticated, many experts advise that a buyer should always check the base of any ceramic. The way a base of a vessel is cut, finished and glazed changes with different dynasties and any discrepancies can quickly alert you to any inconsistencies in the objects age. Many potters who try to forge ceramics rely on photographs from auction catalogues and books, but these images often lack detailed photographs of the bases.

Secondly, the age of a ceramic can be determined by the region mark (found on the base). Every ceramic contains a mark which states the dynasty and the name of the emperor for which the item was made. The mark can appear in many different forms, as seal script, shuanshu and regular form (kaishu). Taking the time to study and identify the seals of different dynasties and emperors increases your chance of making an accurate valuation.

Finally, the condition of a ceramic vessel and how important it is to the value of an object depends on whether the ceramic was imperial quality or not. For example, on a non-imperial porcelain vessel made in the seventeenth century, you would expect to find some kiln dust or grit on the base or perhaps an uneven finish to the glaze. However, in an 18th century Imperial ceramic you would not expect to find these flaws. It is also important to note that as the market value of Chinese ceramics is on the rise, less than perfect ceramics are now capable of holding immense value. Whilst fifteen years ago only a mint-condition mark and period ceramic would be acceptable at auction, today collectors will accept broken, restored or fractured ceramics.