The Chinese and Asian Art Forum. For Fans, Collectors and Dealers.
Basic Rules For the BidAmount Asian Art Forum: Talk about whatever you want. You can even discuss and offer things that are for sale if they are authentic. Maximum image file size per post is 2 MB. Images of 700pxl x 700pxl are optimal if saved at a medium resolution. Be respectful of others and enjoy yourself. Click the YouTube link for a brief tutorial on using the forum. You can also EMBED Videos by cutting and pasting from You-Tube, Vimeo etc.
NOTE: To post an item or add a new post, click open the category title from the FORUM LIST, and CLICK the Blue ADD TOPIC button.
I know almost nothing about jade and soapstone, but I think this little Buddha could maybe have some potential so I am curious what others think of it. Is this a handmade diamond in the rough with some good age or just another modern machine made interpretation with little value? Thanks for your thoughts and any details you can point to about this piece that will help me understand jade a little better. Cheers! John
Hi Johnshoe,
Sadly your buddha is not jade. It's soapstone carving from the 20th/21st century. Due to poor images I am unable to determine if it's a hand carved, drilled or by laser. I suspect it's the later. I have seen some remarkable so-called carving of late. All done by laser and very convincing.
You will notice that the base is heavily scratched. This is because the stone is very soft. You could easily mark it with your fingernail.
If this was genuine nephrite jade the base would not be easily scratched. That's not to infer that it (jade) can't be. If this was say a genuine jade carving from 19th century one would be able to see very tiny scratches with the aid of your trusty loupe.
I can't tell you how to buy or tell the difference between jade and its numerous simulants in a single post. It's impossible. It takes many years of studying and more importantly hands-on. You can't learn this purely from images. You must handle both genuine and simulants. Also it's not just limited to nephrite jade. There is jadeite jade which is even more difficult than jade due to its high price. It's been stated by many dealers that at least 95% of all jadeite on the market today is either fake or has been treated.
A couple of books that I would recommend are:
Jade by Roger Kervene
Chinese jade from the Neolithic to the Qing by Jessica Rawson. This edition is excellent and is often cited by leading dealers and auction houses.
What you really need John is a mentor in jade if you are genuinely interested. One who is dedicated only to jade and has been collecting/dealing for many years. I mentioned dealing because I know collectors who have been buying fakes for years! It's only when they try to sell part of their collection was there a rude awakening.
Mark
Mark is definitely correct about collecting it - highly specialized, and so many collectors have large collections of utter junk.
In fact, in 10 years,I've only ever bought 15-20 pieces ..I stay away unless it's absolutely obvious I'm buying a quality piece.
Bit, I like your soapstone figure. I don't know if it's old, but it sure seems well carved.
I'm not familiar with the use of lasers to carve soapstone figures... Mark, can you share what you know? Is it like a 3d printer?
Very interesting.
Hi Greeno107,
Yes it's by 3d printer. Unfortunately I can't show you any at the moment as I deleted them long ago. They are very convincing at first sight. Actually when I first saw one I thought it was genuine until a friend told me otherwise.
Genuine carving from the late Qing period or earlier are now very collectable and priced so.
Because it's one of the softest stones it can be easily caved by laser.
Mark
Yes, I would love to have a mentor(s). for now you all are filling that role to some extent and I thank you for that. And I would love to handle a large number of all types of real and reproductions to compare. I am trying to learn as much as possible. Thanks for all the advice. Every little bit helps. For the most part I don't pay too much attention to the 95% of the jade and soapstone I encounter. I spend time looking at high end auction pieces to discern what I can about the genuine examples. In doing so I am trying to embed a certain sense of quality to my standards that I can use as a general filter. Most things I see when searching around for treasures are now obvious lesser quality, so I guess I'm learning a little bit at least. But I have no clue when it comes to high end reproductions. I definitely could fall prey to that trap, so I avoid them for now. Unless of course I happen upon something that I sense has potential that may have fallen through the cracks, and I can grab it for little money so it's not a huge gamble, but potentially a great payoff. I wasn't sure if this little Buddha could be one of those. I would have to buy it without handling it though and then examine it more closely in person once it arrived, so that isn't ideal.
One specific thing perhaps you can help me learn from with this Buddha is the area on his belly to the inside of the fold in his robe. That area and also other areas next to the folds is rough, as though it wasn't polished. Is that typical of genuine examples or is that a sign of poor workmanship and possible machine done items?
Hi Johnshoe,
Yes your absolutely correct with regard to the clothing area.
Whenever you encounter a carved piece whether it's soapstone, jade or other and you see this. Do not buy it!
It means that the piece is highly probable to be resin. With the item in question it is in my opinion not resin but laser carved.
That's why it's imperative that you always carry and acquaint yourself with a loupe like I believe you do. You would be surprised how many people I have encountered who own a loupe but don't know how to use it properly.
Mark
@imperialfinegems Here is another question I have regarding resin. I keep seeing examples listed as "hand carved resin". My idea of resin is that it is basically molded plastic, so maybe I have a misunderstanding. Are some of these resin pieces actually hand carved? And if so, does that mean that they do have some value because of the handmade artistry involved in their production? Or perhaps by hand carved they mean that it was finished by hand after being molded by machine. Would love to know if you or anyone else here have info about any of this, because it has been baffling me. Thanks! John
Hi Johnshoe,
When you encounter resin figures etc they are nearly always molded not carved. They are in all probability hand or machine buffed/polished to remove obvious signs of the mould. It's simply a selling technique.
It's totally a waste of time and money for a person to carve resin. It has no value at all.
Mark
This was just up at Sotheby's. Looks like it didn't get off the block. The difference in quality is pretty clear I think, with this one being far superior.
Latest Post: Ming Wanli dish OK? Our newest member: Mae Naylor Recent Posts Unread Posts
Thanks for visiting "The BidAmount Asian Art Forum | Chinese Art"
If you sell on eBay, or have a shop feel free to post images and descriptions and links.
Check back often for discussion about the latest news in the Chinese art and antique world. Also find out about the latest Asian art auctions at Sotheby's, Christie's, Bonhams and Tajans.
Auction results for: fine porcelain, ceramics, bronze, jade, textiles and scholar's objects. As well as Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and other Asian cultures.
Thank you,
Peter Combs
Topics and categories on The BidAmount Asian Art Forum | Chinese Art
Kangxi vases, Kangxi dishes and chargers, Kangxi ritual pieces, Kangxi scholar's objects, Qianlong famille rose, Qianlong enamels, Qianlong period paintings, Qianlong Emporer's court, Fine porcelain of the Yongzheng period. Chinese imperial art, Ming porcelain including Jiajing, Wanli, Xuande, Chenghua as well as Ming jades and bronzes.
Join the BidAmount Chinese and Asian art discussion board and forum today
The BidAmount Asian Art Forum | Chinese Art
A free Asian art discussion board and Asian art message board for dealers and collectors of art and antiques from China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the rest of Asia. Linked to all of the BidAmount Asian art reference areas, with videos from plcombs Asian Art and Bidamount on YouTube. Sign up also for the weekly BidAmount newsletter and catalogs of active eBay listing of Chinese porcelain, bronze, jades, robes, and paintings.
The art of calligraphy - and for the ancient Chinese it certainly was an art - aimed to demonstrate superior control and skill using brush and ink. Calligraphy established itself as one of the major Chinese art forms during the Han dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE), and for two millennia after, all educated men were expected to be proficient at it.
The Museum’s collections of Asian art span nearly five millennia and encompass the cultures of China, the Himalayas, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. In 2007, the Museum launched an initiative to create dedicated galleries for the collection, beginning with a gallery for the arts of Korea ...
Chinese art is full of symbolism, in that artists typically seek to depict some aspect of a totality of which they are intuitively aware.
China Online Museum is the finest online museum of Chinese art. It features Chinese calligraphy, painting, ceramics, bronzes, carving, and other artworks.
Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. Overview Upcoming auctions Contacts Auction results ... Christie’s sales of Chinese ceramics and works of art showcase centuries of Chinese history. Held throughout the year in London, New York, Paris and Hong Kong, they attract a wide audience of collectors and connoisseurs vying for pieces as diverse as ...
Explore Asian Art Week. Contact the Specialist Department. Chinese Paintings ... Senior Specialist, Head of Sale. [email protected]. Tel:+1 212 641 5760. Bid in-person or online for the upcoming auction:Fine Chinese Paintings on 10 September 2019 at New York. Bid in-person or online for the upcoming auction:Fine Chinese Paintings on 10 ...
Discover an abundance of must-see art from all corners of a vast continent at Christie’s NY Asian Art Week. From contemporary classical and Chinese paintings to works with exemplary provenance from the Art Institute of Chicago, our Rockefeller Paza galleries will be full of ancient treasures and contemporary masterworks in a salute to the vibrant arts of Asia.
Sold to benefit The Art Institute of Chicago’s Asian Art Acquisition Fund, the sale features 84 lots with a focus on Ming and Qing porcelains, and offers a rare insight into the taste for collecting Chinese ceramics and works of art in the Midwest from the end of the 19th century through the 1980s. Highlights include two Wanli wucai garlic-head vases, a Qianlong mark and period, blue and ...
Specialist, Chinese Paintings, Christie's London Dr Malcolm McNeill is a Specialist in Chinese Paintings at Christie’s, based in London. He previously worked as an assistant curator of the Chinese collections and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, as a researcher at the British Museum, and as a translator and tour guide at the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
The Christie's Education 2020 Conference: The Chinese Art Market 18 Jun 2019 Christie’s Education is delighted to announce our first international academic conference in Asia which will take place in Hong Kong from 26-27 November 2020 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and will run in parallel with Christie’s Hong Kong Autumn Auctions.
The summer Chinese Art sale in Hong Kong will feature works of art from several private collections, including Qing porcelains and textile from the collection of the legendary Chinese art dealer A. W. Bahr (1877–1959), fine gilt bronze Buddhist sculptures from an old Hong Kong collection, an East Asian collection of Qing dynasty wine cups and jades, and a Japanese collection of Song ceramics ...
Sotheby's Chinese Works of Art Department holds two auctions each year in London, New York, Hong Kong and Paris.
Chinese Art - View Auction details, bid, buy and collect the various artworks at Sothebys Art Auction House.
With more than 340 Chinese works of art dating from the Neolithic to the Republic periods, highlights of this sale include a selection of Qing Imperial monochromes from the collection of Arnold and Blema Steinberg, early ceramics from the Art Institute of Chicago and Chinese porcelain and works of art from the collection of Henry Arnhold.
Results: Sotheby's Asia Week achieved $52.4 million in six strong auctions, exceeding pre-sale estimates. With 76.5% of lots sold and 60.3% of lots surpassing high estimates, the Asian art sales at Sotheby's indicate continued collector interest in the finest works of art from China, India and and the Himalayas.
Today's sale of Important Chinese Art will proceed as planned with sessions at 10 AM and 2 PM EDT. Sotheby's will be monitoring the weather conditions throughout the day and will be available to coordinate alternative bidding options should conditions make it difficult for clients to attend the auction in person.
Bonhams Chinese Art department is renowned for offering the finest works of art representing the richness and breadth of China's artistic heritage, particularly Imperial porcelain, white and spinach green jades, cloisonné and Buddhist art. Specialised international auctions are held globally, including London, Hong Kong and San Francisco.
Bonhams : Chinese Works of Art We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. Please refer to our privacy and cookie policies for more information.
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars. We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. ... Chinese Art (US) General enquiries
Bonhams : Fine Chinese Art We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. Please refer to our privacy and cookie policies for more information.
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars Bonhams : Asian Art We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site.
Bonhams are international auctioneers of fine Chinese and Japanese art. We specialise in rare Imperial and Export Chinese ceramics and works of art, as well as Japanese ceramics, fine and decorative works of art from the Neolithic Period to the 20th century. View on map
Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers: auctioneers of art, pictures, collectables and motor cars. We use cookies to remember choices you make on functionality and personal features to enhance your experience to our site. By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies. ... Asian Art Bonhams. Work. 22 Queen St.