Collectable Chinese Ceramics

                        
   The first of the Chinese ceramics were produced approximately 1900 BC. Until the early 18th century, the East exported porcelain products en mass to the West. The designs were specifically made for Western tastes.

Antique Chinese porcelain today is commanding massive prices. However to the untrained eye it is very difficult to tell old collectables from new if you haven't seen the real piece as styles pretty much stay the same throughout the centuries.

Imari:

A Japanese style from the 17th century that the Chinese copied. Imari was produced at Arita. Imari got its name because of being exported out of  the port of Imari. Early pieces will generally the decoration will be some cruder and the piece thicker. A combination under glaze cobalt-blue decoration, and over glaze iron-red enamel finishing with gilding.

Famille verte:

Introduced around the early 1700's. Developed during the time of the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722). Until the introduction of Famille rose, this was the standard decorating form. The dominate green color can be slightly see-through. There are combinations of blue, red, and yellow making these pieces very lovely.

Famille rose: (pink family)

So named because of the pink color of the enamel. The inspiration was to be more in tune with Western preference. The shade was prominent during the 1730s and very popular. It continued into the 20th century.

Nanking:

The name is associated with the Port of Nanking (presently Nanjing) where the blue and white porcelains were exported from during the 18th century. Often associated with the Nanking Cargo, the porcelains recovered from a Dutch ship, the Geldermalsen, which sank in the middle 1700s.

Amorial ware:

Western Customers in the 18th century would send their family crests and patterns to the Chinese to be copied. For collectors of these pieces, they are very distinctive of the Chinese style and the glazing is very hard. The practice was at a height of popularity in c1800.

Canton enamel:

The kilns of Jingdezhen is where this collectable product was made then sent to the port of canton to apply the decoration.The pieces can be dated from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century. Characteristics are typically figures or landscapes in panels around the piece on a green background of flowers and objects considered to be precious.