Determining
authenticity is not an easy task. Even I have been fooled on occasion.
Quite often a fake is passed from hand to hand unknowingly, often
accompanied by the famous Certificate of Authenticity.
Don't be fooled by this document. There is no license required
for appraisal and many people offer appraisal services. Good appraisers
will have a reputation and their own credentials. I've seen many
appraisals and have to say that most are lacking both in detail and
information to back up their declaration.
About
forty years ago I watched one such appraiser
thumb through a book to identify a mark, then copy
this information directly to a one-liner stating the authenticity. With
his reputation, he should have immediately recognized the mark and
style and used some creativity in his appraisal. An appraisal should go
into as much detail as possible to accompany any fine piece of art on
it's journey. It should include the history of the piece, images,
comparisons, exact measurements, and tell a story.
Click here to see an
example of a properly done appraisal. This should be the minimum
accepted, should documented provenance or TL test results not
be available.
Moving
from the credentials to the piece itself takes us to the next step. Of
course if you find a piece while excavating a tomb, you're
99.9% sure it's authentic, but there is still that .1%
chance that someone found the tomb earlier and placed it there to fool
you. There is only one sure method of dating, thermoluminescence, but
that is expensive. Not everyone can afford to spend $400
- $500 to authenticate each piece. I might also add that this
is used mainly on heavier pottery such as those from the T'ang
and Sung periods, and not recommended for the finer thin porcelain of
the Ming and Qing dynasties. Aside from the risk of breakage, drilling
holes in a fine porcelain (if not done properly) can affect
the value. For those considering this route, keep in mind that
unless performed by either Oxford or Daybreak Archaeometric, the
results may not be accepted by the major auction houses.
Be also aware that not all types of clay
used in the potting contain
sufficient amounts of the properties needed
to obtain a valid TL reading. Sufficient
amounts of quartz, and feldspar must be present.
Click here to
view my notes on this subject.
Here
are some suggestions for the serious collector wanting to learn.
.
Build
a Library
Start
collecting as many books as you can on Chinese porcelain. Start your
collection with Hobson2 and
build from there. Familiarize yourself with the different styles of
each of the Ming and Qing emperors. Soon you will be able to glance at
a piece and immediately recognize, for example, the difference
between the Xuande and Wanli styles of the Ming dynasty. Collect
catalogues from the major auction houses like Sotheby's and Christie's. They
have quality photos that will aid in the identification of a style or
period. I've listed just a few references below:
1 The
Wanli Shipwreck and
its Ceramic Cargo - by Sten Sjostrand &
Sharipah Lok Lok bt. Syed Idrus
2 The
Wares of the Ming Dynasty - by R. L.
Hobson
3 The
Chinese Exhibition - Commemorative from 1935-1936 - Faber and Faber
4
Chinese
Blue and White - by Ann Frank (good
beginner's book)
5
Porcelain,
Its Nature, Art, & Manufacture - by William Burton (Batsford,
London 1906)
The
last mentioned (1906
publication) is one of many that give the
translation of the earliest known first hand account
of Chinese porcelain manufacture. A viewer
tried to correct me, saying that this (the
translation) is only now available, they
apparently learned this from another site's forum. I had to inform them
that it's been available in several
languages for over two-hundred years. Much of
my early research 40+ years ago was based
in part on my own interpretation of this translated
text. Briefly, it's two letters from a
missionary Jesuit priest, Father Pére Francois
Xavier d'Entrecolles (1664-1741), who was the first European
to view first-hand Chinese porcelain manufacture. He
sent back two detailed letters (reports) on the
process. These letters, dated 1712 and 1722,
were translated into English, Italian, and
German shortly thereafter. There are many sites on the Internet that
offer the translated version. You can even view the original
published letters in French at Google Books.
It's almost amusing to see so many sites now saying "Here,
available for the first time....". They are about
200 years behind the times.
Visit
Museums and Libraries
View
as many pieces as you can. Soon you will be able to immediately
recognize the look of the authentic piece. If possible, speak with the
curator. They often have handouts available containing information on
the dynasties. Most libraries have a separate Arts section where you
can research a specific dynasty, an emperor, or even porcelain
manufacture. Read as much as you can.
Another
good
place to view
quality items is an Asian art show. One caution here though, keep in
mind that all vendors are there to sell their wares.
Unlike
the well known syndicated 'Antiques Road Show' which features
professional appraisers from the major art houses, you are
instead dealing with a salesman who may (or may not) be the owner of
the wares on display. Just assuming someone of Chinese descent is an
expert on porcelain, is as much a mistake as someone of Chinese descent
assuming an Englishman is an expert on Royal Dalton. Having attended
many such art shows, I've seen a mix of the authentic and the 'not so
authentic'.
.
Watch
for Copies
Be
aware that there are present day copies being manufactured that are
almost impossible to detect. They come complete with flaws,
discolorations, and imperfections. Only thermoluminescence testing can
detect the true age. Also be aware that copies were made within both
the Ming and Qing dynasties. These were not made
to deceive, but in reverence (honor) of an earlier style or period. For
example, some pieces from the later Ming reigns bare the earlier
Xuande mark. The same applies to the later Qing dynasty, with
the most common copied marks being that of the earlier
Kangxi and Qianlong reigns. These pieces, though not of the
period, are still quite valuable and to be
differentiated from modern day copies which are of little value other
than being decorative.
Japanese
Copies
Early
trade with China could produce the materials, but not the methods of
the Chinese potter, some of which were highly guarded secrets. Though
these methods applied to every aspect of the production, it was the
actual firing process that was the hardest to duplicate.
The
final product of the Chinese Imperial kiln was the result of an exactly
timed and controlled temperature and environment which was dictated by
the actual piece or group being fired. Additives such as bamboo leaves,
various woods and ferns, were also included in the firing process for
certain effects on the glaze. Products from other than Imperial kilns
(provincial kilns) could rarely match the quality of the Imperial kiln.
Because
of
this, during
both the Ming and Qing dynasties, Japan conducted raids on the China
mainland, bringing back both materials and captives to learn the tricks
of the Chinese potter and artisan. The result of this documented
practice is evident in examining the property of these earliest known
pieces, which is the presence of classic Chinese
designs using native cobalt and porcelain originating from the Ma
T'sang mountains in China.
One
still has to consider that a product created in Japan, in a kiln built
by a captive Chinese potter, using Chinese material and the exact
firing methods, is still a Chinese masterpiece.
Eventually
the distinct Japanese style began to emerge and become separate, and
just as sought after in its own right.
.
Learn
Chinese Calligraphy
An
excellent book is Chinese Characters - Their origin,
etymology, history, classification, and signification. By Dr. L.
Wieger, S.J. This book, like so many
earlier books, is written using the Wade-Giles transliteration
and not Pinyin. Since Pinyin is now the
universally accepted transliteration, you may want to
search for a book that uses Pinyin. If you
want a brief introduction to these
two different Romanization methods, please visit my calligraphy section
where you can actually meet Pinyin Man.
Using
any good book on calligraphy, you can learn to read and write
as much Chinese as is necessary to recognize all the Ming and Qing
emperors. I've spent about ten years studying Chinese calligraphy and
it's been a major help in my collecting. I discovered that learning
approximately 200 characters allowed me to identify 600 years of
Chinese art. It was then that I realized that many dealers pretend to
be experts when in fact they are not. Here are several incidents that
happened to me that you might enjoy.
One
such dealer had a reputation as one of the best in the country. I often
test a dealer's knowledge. One day I handed him a piece of porcelain.
My not being of Chinese descent, mostly Irish, Portuguese, English, and
Dutch (kind of a mutt), made it unlikely I could read and write
Chinese. I asked him "What are the squigglies, are these what
they call chop marks?". He nonchalantly took the piece,
pausing long enough to glance quickly at it while talking to some
customers. Unknowingly holding it upside down, he quickly pointed to
each of the characters and read (to us all) "It simply says
- From the Imperial House on the Great Yellow River". I
smiled, thanked him and left. It was a new piece that actually read
'Zhong Guo Jingdezhen Nian Zhi' , which translates to 'Middle Country
(China) Jingdezhen (province known for porcelain manufacture)
Period Made'. This is a common mark on modern pieces presently being
made in China.
Another
dealer of reputation once said "It's got the Double Ming
Mark, it's from 1701". She was way off here. There is no "Double Ming
Mark" and the Ming dynasty ended in 1644. She was referring to the
cobalt blue empty double ring often seen on modern pieces.
There
is however a cobalt blue empty double ring on some genuine Kangxi
pieces of the Qing dynasty, due to a proclamation made by the young
emperor which lasted only a year or so. In my opinion, genuine pieces
from this short period (1667 - 1669) are of greater value. They provide
a more exact date than the usual six-character mark, which only says it
falls somewhere within the sixty-year reign (1662 - 1722). It's just a
matter of personal preference. This empty double ring oftentimes
contained an image (such as a rabbit or Artemisia leaf) in
substitution of the emperor's mark. Kind of a work-around to the
proclamation, so as not to leave the piece totally unmarked.
One
final note on calligraphy. It's easier to read than write, but if you
can write, you will immediately recognize characters written by someone
who has not been schooled in Chinese calligraphy. I've found many
pieces with mistakes. There is a rule to the stroke of the brush, which
is clearly noticeable. Perhaps in the near future I will dedicate a
section regarding this subject.
.
Visual
Properties
Like
calligraphy, this also is a world of study in itself. Personally, I
prefer a piece with some minor flaws.
The cracks, chips, and wear better
suggest its true age, giving it
character and life. My Jiajing dish is a good example. The
gild is almost completely worn away with age. The lip shows centuries
of wear. The biscuit worn smooth. Click here => for a
good example of age cracks. Cracking can be created on new pieces, but
it's more uniform with a controlled placement and size. Glaze cracking
on a piece of five to six-hundred years of age is not uniform and there
will be a slight discoloration within the cracks themselves, making
them appear almost like thin translucent brown and yellow lines.
Microscopic
examination shows a variation in the size of the fine bubbles in the
porcelain between the white and blue cobalt
areas, specifically where the both meet. Here's an
example => This is a
trait of the ancient wood burning kiln where temperatures were not as
finely controlled as in the present day modern kilns. Fakers of today
can use the old kilns and methods of the past to emulate this as well.
You
will also encounter some common terms used such as chicken skin, orange
peel, massed lard, heaped and piled, palm eyes, etc. Mostly these are
used to describe the feel and appearance of the glaze (or surface).
Palm eyes, for instance, are those small dark holes where possibly a
foreign particle caused an imperfection in the glaze during the firing
process. Sometimes oxygen entering the kiln during the firing would
cause this effect. Though common, these imperfections are not
necessarily signs of authenticity. A good book (like Hobson1)
will go into detail on each, and even point out which is most
common to a certain reign. Though good to be familiar with (as
earlier mentioned), they also are not necessarily signs of
authenticity.
There
also
seems to be an
increase of classic blue and white 'Ming' chargers and plates with the
orange tinted unglazed foot-ring usually known to early Ming and Yuan
wares. Not wanting to discount those that are authentic, just be aware
that there is a chemical oxidizing agent named Potassium
Permanganate (KMno4) that can be used to create this look. It is water
soluble and available with any shade of iron oxide red or yellow.
One
last thing to mention. The 'classic' books on Chinese porcelain have
been around for many years, providing the collector with a wealth of
knowledge in determining authenticity. This same knowledge has been
available to the counterfeiters, whose tools and methods have only
improved with time.
Start
that library. Hit those museums.
.
Internet
Auctions
- Some tips.
This
avenue has its ups and downs. You really have to be careful out there.
I've seen some treasures go for pennies, but also some expensive
rip-offs. Everyone is familiar with the old saying 'Buyer Beware', but
because of the nature (and tactics) of the online auction, 'Seller
Beware' too.
As
mentioned earlier, fakes are often passed from hand to hand
unintentionally. Anyone can make an error in judgment. I
believe most people are honest. But there is now an alarming
increase of intentional passing of fakes on the Internet
auctions. Some quite obvious, and some not so obvious.
Speaking
of honesty, here are some of the tactics of the 'less than honest' to
watch out for in the world of online auctions. I know it
happens, because I've seen it.
Buyer
Beware
Let's
say a seller lists an item that has all the properties of authenticity,
but the image is not clear and no macro images are offered. Before you
bid on this item, be aware not only of the refund policy, but study the
description closely. A seller saying "I don't know what it is." and
only suggests it might be Ming or Qing (or old)
does not have to refund your money if it isn't. I've seen them use the
wording "Ming Dynasty - Xuande style" in which case the simple use of
the word "style" clears them from having to refund your money. Some
don't offer a refund policy at all. I'd steer clear of these unless you
know the seller's reputation, or are willing to gamble.
Another
caution is the Private
Auction. The bidder's identity is hidden
(protected), but it's really protecting the seller,
allowing him to receive bids from unsuspecting bidders that
can't be warned in advance. I've seen many an auction
where the bidder is unaware the piece they are bidding on is fake.
There is no way to reach the bidder, and it's against the auction
policy to interfere with an auction. Know your stuff if you participate
in a private auction.
.
Other
Avenues
I
recently had a lady contact me asking for help on a small bowl that she
paid 12 dollars for at a garage sale. I enjoy helping when I have the
time, so I downloaded the image.
She
had a fine bowl of Imperial quality that, if authentic, would fetch 8
to 10 thousand dollars, and easily several hundred if the mark was
spurious (not of the period). I told her to seek a second
opinion from a reputable auction house. She did just that,
and they confirmed its value.
As
previously stated, if you participate in online auctions, be
very careful as both a buyer and a seller.
.
Online
Forums
Though
forums can offer excellent information to collectors from
both novice to advanced, there are some things to be cautious
of. Most moderators know their
stuff, but there always seems to
be one (or more) self proclaimed 'expert' who will
try to establish himself as having
an advanced knowledge when often times they
do not. They will often disrupt the
entire forum, making the job of the assigned
moderators extremely difficult.
I rarely participate in forum discussions. Here is an
example of one such incident where I ended up dueling
with an 'expert'.
Someone posted
an
image looking for the translation of a mark on a blue and
white bowl. After over 100 views with no responses, I posted the answer
for them since it was a very rare mark used during the 18th and 19th
centuries. As soon as I did, another person posted a smart remark that
offered no information but instead hinted that he knew what
the mark was and for some reason kept quiet. I was wondering who would
do this, and why. I also posted further down in the same forum an
answer to another question that had gone a long time with no answers.
It was for someone who wanted to know if a certain bowl could
possibly be from the Yuan dynasty. I told them it had the properties
and it would be wise to take it to a museum or a reputable dealer for a
first hand inspection. The person thanked me for the encouragement.
Almost immediately after that there was a post from the same one who
left the smart remark earlier saying the piece was a 20th century fake
and [Quote]: " The
shape and form are all wrong." meaning it didn't exist
during the Yuan dynasty. After several more posts to the
thread between the 'expert' and the person asking for help, I
decided to put an end to it all by providing images of the exact shape
and form from a 14th century bowl in the Topkapi Museum, Istanbul
Turkey. There were other bowls as well of almost the exact size and
shape also within the collection.
This
apparently enraged the self proclaimed expert who did
not reply directly after having been proven
dead wrong. He instead started a new post saying that very
detailed information should never be given
on a forum as it was only providing information to the fakers. Here is
the text he started with: [Quote]
(July
16th, 2005)
"I
myself am an expert in a particular area of Chinese ceramics and I also
have one of the largest libraries on the subject within the United
Kingdom...for reasons that will become obvious I will say no more!
"
If
this was indeed true, then he must have
recognized it. He was therefore purposely
giving misleading information. Not just to the original user
who asked for help, but to all members of
the forum. Life is so much easier when you say your not
and expert. We are all learning together, no one knows it all. I guess
what I'm trying to say is don't believe everything you
see on online forums. It's my belief that the self proclaimed
'expert' just didn't know.
Conclusion
My
Chinese friends have been invaluable to me. I grew up in Hawaii and had
many such friends. I've had one mentor who came from a line of potters
dating back to the Ming dynasty. Another mentor escaped China during
the revolution.
Over
fifty years ago I spent a year on some islands just off the east China
coast. During this time I headed up several expeditions and viewed
tombs never before seen by a Westerner. Some had not been
entered in over five hundred years. One such expedition almost
ended up an international incident. I continued to explore (alone) for
several years following this incident and have never revealed
the locations I've discovered. I considered these remote jungle spots
as sacred and just enjoyed the beauty and solitude without breaking the
earth, removing a single item, or disturbing a single leaf.
About
4 years following the above incident, I discovered another sacred
burial tomb on a different island in the Pacific. A small white speck
was noticeable about 2 miles away. It was above a bamboo forest, in the
thick jungle growth. It was only visible from a certain spot for about
an hour in the late afternoon, when the sun was hitting it just right.
It took me 2 days to find the spot. It was a human skull, a small
burial tomb with artifacts and offerings. Knowing it would eventually
be found by hikers and looted, I made a return visit to make sure it
would not be discovered. I placed large rocks to hide the skull from
view, but made sure the sun could still touch it. After giving about a
month for my changes to set in, I returned at the request of a museum
official who was very much interested in my find. She assured me that
it's location would remain confidential. I must have done a fairly good
job in hiding it. Much to my own delight, I could not find it again.
Luckily, she had packed a nice picnic lunch, so it was not a total
loss.
Unless
you enjoy snakes, traps, and arrows whizzing past you, I
suggest hitting the garage sales and antique stores. There are many
treasures to be found both on and off-line.
That
about covers it. I hope the content I've provided helps. Again, it's my
own opinion from information gathered over the past fifty years. It's
also an accumulation of knowledge passed on from many fine Chinese
friends and mentors. Special thanks to Paul T'sai, Richard Li,
Ching Wa, Alan Wong, and especially Lawrence Wu for
their years of friendship and patience.
Good
luck.
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