Judith Miller on Chinese ceramics

To celebrate the Chinese New Year, our expert Judith Miller takes a closer look at Chinese ceramics.

Chinese ceramics have hit the headlines over the past few years with millions of pounds being paid for rare, early and important examples. As well as existing collectors all over the world, buyers now include investors from mainland China: a new class of wealthy businessmen lead a burgeoning middle class wishing to buy back their country’s heritage in ceramics.

Away from these rarities, much late 19th-century and 20th-century export ware is comparatively affordable, with prices rarely rising above £1,000; some can be found for under £50. Even objects such as these are attracting the attentions of those looking for a striking accessory.

ABOVE (LEFT - RIGHT): Famille rose dish, six figures at play, 19th century, £100-£150; Moon flask with battle scene cartouche, 19th century, £150-£200; 1800s brush pot, £400-£600.

Forms include vases, bowls, dishes and larger chargers; and typical motifs are flowers, trees, pagodas, figures and fish. Scenes showing people working are popular among collectors and the better designs have faces with expressions.

White ceramics hand-decorated in blue under the glaze were exported to the West prolifically, and are perhaps the most commonly found. The cargoes of shipwrecked vessels salvaged over the past decades typically comprised blue and white export wares, and examples from the 16th century can be had for as little as £50. Also popular are polychrome (multicoloured) wares, including famille rose (pink), famille jaune (yellow), and famille verte (green), all named after the dominant colour in the palette used.

The softer hue of famille rose generally superseded the others as it provided a better base for more detailed decoration. However, on many of quality the pattern does not cover the entire surface, allowing the fine, bright and flawless white porcelain to be shown off.

ABOVE (LEFT - RIGHT): 19th-century vase, birds, flowers and foliage, £150-£200; Blue and white beaker vase, 20th century, masks and leaves, £50-£80; c1900, famille rose vase, £450-£550.

Tips for collectors

• View museum collections and examples being sold at auction or in dealers’ shops to enable you to spot finer quality pieces.
• The decoration should be well applied in sympathetic colours with a good level of detail.
• Marks can help with identification, so consult a specialist guide.
• Bear in mind that many early marks were applied to later pieces out of respect for, and in veneration of, ancestors.
• For help in sourcing authentic Chinese ceramics, why not contact your local antiques dealer (theantiquesdirectory.co.uk)?

FEATURE JUDITH MILLER  PHOTOGRAPHS FREEMAN’S; LYON & TURNBULL LTD; WOOLLEY & WALLIS
Featured in the January 2010 issue of Period Living

Buy Judith Miller’s Antiques Handbook & Price Guide 2012-2013