Republic Period Chinese Porcelain
Investing in antiques is often more than a fun hobby; it is just that, an investment. While many other items depreciate in their value over time, this is frequently not the case with antiques. San Diego Liquidation and Estate Services specializes in Chinese antiques San Diego. One such domain of expertise is that of Republic period Chinese porcelain.
Republic period Chinese porcelain history
In the 19th century, Japan invaded China. This was followed by the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. After these events, the Qing Dynasty was left severely weakened. As a result of these catastrophic events, a Chinese army rebelled, which led to many more subsequent rebellions.
All these events eventually culminated in the founding of the Republic of China, which lasted from around 1911 to 1949. This is the era of Chinese history during which Republic period porcelain was created.
Genuine Republic porcelain from this era is a rare find. One of the major reasons for this is due to the historical background surrounding these works of art. The Republic period occurred during a time in Chinese history when the economy severely plummeted. It was this economic disaster that led to the reign of Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China.
As a result of the economic decline, Republic period porcelain production slowed down considerably. We are consequently left with not only some rare works of art, but also many imposters.
Republic period Chinese porcelain imposters
If you are in the market for Republic period porcelain, it is important to know that there are many replicas being presented as real pieces. This poses a problem to buyers because it can be difficult to distinguish a genuine piece from a phony. At San Diego Liquidation and Estate Services, we carefully examine our Chinese vases to ensure authenticity.
There are typically three types of pieces that are often sold as genuine Republic period Chinese porcelain. These include the following:
• Modern replicas that are made to look like Republic period porcelain
• Porcelain pieces made after the 1950s, which can often look like authentic pieces
• High Qing and Ming Dynasty replicas, which also look like Republic period porcelain
Republic period Chinese porcelain characteristics
While there are many imposters, there are still those rare finds that make the hunt worthwhile. But what should you look for in an authentic piece of Republic period porcelain? Some of the distinguishing characteristics include the following:
• Marks and inscriptions – When examining a porcelain, you will want to look for typical marks and inscriptions. Reign marks are one of the distinguishing marks, but they should be analyzed with care. Pieces with genuine reign marks help to verify authenticity, and collectors will likely be attracted to these pieces. Workshop or artist marks also help to verify authenticity and can tell the observer or collector the kiln from which the porcelain vase was produced. Inscriptions often consist of black enamel, which may include a poem, signature, or cyclical date.
• Unique shape – The shape of the piece is also vitally important. The shape is telling of the dynasty during which it was produced. You may also be able to find shapes with slight variations that are still authentic. Due to the unique nature of these pieces, they may have a greater value.
• Age – The age of the item also tells a tale. When distinguishing between a real piece and an imposter, there are various tests that can be conducted to determine the true age of the piece. The fake Republican vases are made to look as real as possible, but it is hard to create something new that resembles something old. For instance, an authentic piece may have small rust spots and yellow cracks. You could also look for glaze contractions, which appear as fine cracks in the Chinese Republic porcelain. At the same time, the better the condition, the more the piece is worth. In other words, you do not want too much damage. While you may have a genuine piece, you only want to see a minor amount of damage when verifying its authenticity.
• Quality – You will want to take note of the glaze and decoration of your Chinese porcelain. A smooth, shiny, and consistent glaze are the marks of a high-quality glaze. Such a high-quality glaze will make a piece more valuable. While you can tell if a piece of Chinese porcelain is antiquated because of cracks, cracks in the glaze finish also diminish the value of the piece. You will often find a Chinese vase with intricate designs, patterns, and artwork. Often, the more intricate the design and detail in the art, the more valuable the work of art is.
• History – It is also possible to find a piece of Chinese Republic porcelain that has a documented history attached to it. If so, you may be able to trace the ownership of the piece. This brings added value and creditability.
• Rarity – Another element to consider is the rarity of the piece. As previously stated, when determining rarity, you may want to look for somewhat unique designs and shapes that are still within the detectable range of being an authentic piece. Some of the other elements that make a piece stand out as a rare find are the types of colors or color combinations, as well as the use of scarce symbols.
San Diego Liquidation and Estate Services
Whether you are in the market for a rare piece of Chinese porcelain or are looking to sell or consign some of your antiquated Chinese artwork, San Diego Liquidation and Estate Services will be happy to help you with your needs. As an antique buyer San Diego, we are highly experienced in the buying, selling, and consigning of Chinese antiques.
