The Chinese and Asian Art Forum. For Fans, Collectors and Dealers.
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For example: a Qianlong cup like this was on my search list for years. The decoration is not unusual but the lady had to carry a bird and there are many bowls where she doesn’t. Then sometimes I didn’t like the execution of the painting, sometimes it was nice but damaged. But eventually the perfect piece came my way and it was worth waiting. I still enjoy looking at it.
Birgit
Good points! I think everyone starts out on the collecting trail by seeing something that speaks to them at a gut level, but it is also equally true that they have little or no knowledge of the item’s history, quality, or rarity. That is why it is important to inject some discipline into the process of collecting.
By example, there is another recent thread about five Kangxi export blue and white plates recently purchased by another forum member. I believe he made his selection within the curated list of objects from BidAmount and probably bought them from a dealer vetted by Peter Combs. Good start! They are decent ‘middle of the road’ plates with some charming details with a slightly out of the ordinary mark. So instead of purchasing that late 19th, famile rose vase that he has been eyeing online, what if he continues to concentrate on Kangxi blue & white plates with a “Good, Better, Best” strategy. So, keep the two best plates and sell the remaining three on eBay (be certain to mention that they are spares bought from a trusted dealer). Start looking for plates (still from the curated pool of examples) that have a more sophisticated design, or a more vivid shade of blue, or a unusual shape. Stay with the odd numbers so that one can continue to partially sell off plates to bring total costs down for this exercise. By the end of the year, he should have accomplished two things; trained his eye to identify the best in this category and have a tightly curated collection for his enjoyment. What if he decides his collecting interests lie elsewhere? Then place his collection with one of the regional auction houses. A coherent collection of objects from reputable dealers always attracts attention.
Size matters, as Julia said when traveling, you want to be able to tuck it in a suitcase. I also enjoy the hunt and the aspect of serendipity, the piece finding you when you are shopping in person, which has the added advantage of not having to pay shipping and no worry as to whether it will be whole when you receive it. I know that I am unlikely to find something truly outstanding by going to hole in the wall shops and asking, "anything Asian?" However, that is part of the enjoyment. Sharon
One of my favorite, long term collecting strategies has to do with my love of 17th/18th century Chinese monochromes. It’s pretty simple minded. I wanted a red one, a blue one, a green one ... a black one. In other words, I put together a collection of the various glaze types mostly produced for the Chinese market at a time (20 to 40 years ago) when examples were available from reputable dealers in the range from a thousand dollars to three thousand dollars. I learned a hell of a lot regarding the subject, made some new friends, travelled the world to see and sometimes handle the best of the best. Also, at some point I can send the collection back out into world for more money than it’s original cost. What more could one ask of a hobby?
Those are excellent points on the rewarding side of collecting. I, too, like the randomness of finding good things to buy. An unexpected score can put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.
Being a history buff I also love the connection to the past that these items offer. Since I've started collecting Chinese antiques I've been reading up on Chinese history, which I didn't know too much about, pre-20th century.
-Steve
I believe it sold for the princely sum of $154. I think there was a small hairline crack. There is a type of penetrating glue used by porcelain restoration personnel that will make a clean hairline totally disappear.
If one has patience and perseverance, there are still wonderful, authentic antiques out there. I’m sure everyone who reads a story about someone who made a fantastic discovery at a yard sale is thinking they must be the luckiest person in the world. Maybe, but that person used years of knowledge & experience in the field to make that decision to purchase a forgotten treasure.
@william thanks.
as a new collector, I think these are the challenges that I see, maybe others can chip in as well？
1. not sure what the price range of some basic/beginner item is. even looking at the sold items, it's confusing that some lot will be passed. while the same period, same maker sometimes go to the $300 range. Maybe it's because of damage/etc. for example, the hairline that you mentioned, as a new collector, we don't know how serious is some damage vs others. I still have questions in this area. like how much does it matter when a vase is drilled? (esp when the drilled hole is not a very clean circle.)
2. a common mistake that I have made myself is. I learn something like. look for "hand painted", then I see something and fall for it simply there is some parts of it is hand painted. haha kind of looking at what I want to see, but not seeing the printed parts of a piece. Because of "over zealous" of what new things I learned.
3. I think Peter mentioned this in his videos. so I haven't fall for this yet lol. Peter was exposing some gallery in GA where they have all these amazing items but for the estimate of $1000 -$5000. And he was like "do you think you can buy Van Gogh for a few thousands when they normally sell for millions?" 😀
Hi Ang,
Thanks for bringing these up! I am still an amateur but I have had some experience, so I'll offer my two cents.
Prices are tricky and you will develop an instinct for them, especially as to what you are willing to pay. Of course we all want to underpay when possible but sometimes there is a piece that you really really love and just have to have, in which case there's nothing wrong with paying more than its market value for it as long as you can afford it. Most sellers do a good job with describing the condition because they don't want complaints later. I've gotten overly-excited by something only to realize that it was repaired. (A rule I have for myself - that I don't always follow - is never bid or buy something in the evening; sleep on it and see it again in the cold light of day.) Also, there will always be the occasional delusional seller who thinks a mediocre Canton pattern plate is worth $1000 and can be the source of a smile on your face.
As you look at and handle more items you'll learn to recognize hand painted from printed. It can be tricky, especially with modern fakes. Also, fakes can be hand painted too.
As to the last part: if I don't know a seller I like to check out their other items. Once I was entranced by what I thought was a Kangxi revival 19th c. vase only to realize when I looked at their other stuff that there were other items that were kind of similar and in the same price range and that the seller was a warehouse of fake antique imports. Then the telltale signs of artifice really popped out and I could see it with clear eyes. Greed and "irrational exuberance" can blind you to what you're looking at.
Good luck and be sure to share your favorite finds with us!
-Steve
One hard lesson that every beginning collector has to learn is what types of antique items are currently available in the the marketplace that are both genuine and within the collector’s budget constraints. Pricing can change through the decades; surprisingly in both up and down directions. Your best tool for starting the necessary research process is this website. By all means buy what you like, but keep your selections within the pool of vetted objects. Use the information about trusted sellers in your decision making process. Those weekly videos have lots of valuable information regarding current market pricing. Finally, have the patience to wait for that item that meets most, in not all of your selection criteria. Having one antique object of merit in your collection to examine will teach you far more than a pile of randomly selected, counterfeit, overpriced junk.
@shinigami haha thanks! I have definitely felt the urge to "buy anything else out of disappointment when you just lost a bidding war" 😐
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.