Hello Michael,

The person who placed the spam's account was deleted as a user several weeks ago at which time his posts should have vanished with his user deletion.  We're checking some settings to see why it didn't happen.

Every morning we delete dozens of Spam sign-ups, mostly from Russia and China as well as their pending posts. 

I was however out sick at the time this particular one slipped through, so it might have been a mistake on my part. 

The idea of having other folks moderate the FORUM for bad content is a good one though. After the New Year, we'll try and take a good look at the options for doing it.  Thanks so much for bringing it up. 

best regards, Peter

Sounds great, Peter! Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for us in the new year! 🙂

Kind regards, Michael

Hello Michael and Peter. Since my knowledge of Chinese art is sketchy and my knowledge of Japanese art is only a little less sketchy, along with a rip roaring lack of stability in personality and social skills I must unfortunately discount myself from the list of potential recruits to this esteemed post. You do need a couple of good helpers though and I can think of two or three characters here that would prove immensely helpful. Sadly not me. Best wishes all and happy holidays and New year if I don't speak to you. D

Hi all:

I don't claim to have a solution. However, the fundamental question is what is the purpose of the Forum? To me the main value  lies in the discussion of Asian antiques especially Chinese ones, how we distinguish pieces from different reigns and periods and how we distinguish genuine from fake items. In other words, we need an educational forum. Unfortunately though the Forum seems to have degenerated into a somwhat low-level chat group devoid of scholarship. I don't see it as accomplishing any purpose currently.

Regards,

Errol

Hi everyone,

I sympathise with Errol's position, it can't be very interesting to participate in discussions on fairly basic pieces posted by amateurs like myself. It must also feel like a thankless task constantly being asked to check other people's purchases for authenticity. The only thing I would say, which may be cold comfort, is that this is a very valuable educational exercise for other, less experienced, collectors.

I think there may be an issue with stilted discussions due to the fact we are a worldwide community. The time differences makes it more difficult to maintain a lively, in-depth discussion? But, alas, there is very little that can be done about that!

Personally, I would very much enjoy reading an academic thread where experienced collectors discuss a particular item. This would, over time, help us all develop our skills and knowledge thereby raising the overall standard of discussion? Maybe a topic section for experienced collectors would be popular?

Nic

Nic, I don't think Errol was referring to you - or me - I hope!  I think the thing is that we join in discussions, try to help others.  It can sometimes seem like the forums are treated like personal shopping assistants for relatively non-challenging items by new members who don't contribute to other queries, but some discussions have been interesting and everyone has to start somewhere. 

Maybe, we need to encourage the idea that members should try to join in other threads, even if it is just to ask a question about someone else's item.  We can all learn from that, people don't need to be experts to do that, but I understand that it can be intimidating when you feel like a complete beginner. Although, I don't fear making mistakes on these forums, as I know I will learn from them, people aren't judgmental, I am still very reluctant to post on others.

I like Nic's idea, or we could simply bring up an issue we find interesting or confusing even if we don't have a corresponding item to show.  I am fairly sure, though, that one reason for the lack of stimulating enquiries at the moment is the time of year, people are busy: I am usually here a couple of times a day, now it is more like one visit every couple of days!

Gosh, I feel I have gone off track! As for moderators, a few experienced members with the ability to maybe hide or delete threads/posts might be good.

Julia

I think my comment was more a reflection of my own concerns and how painfully aware I am that I'm constantly asking for help and advice. Errol and everyone else has been absolutely amazing and so very patient! I've learned so much in the month I've been a member, to the point that this week I have ventured some of my own interpretations of pieces (although I've been sure to explain that I'm very much an apprentice!). This is in large part as a result of the help and guidance I've received from everyone on this forum. So thank you very much to you all!

As regards the personal shopper phenomenon, I agree. I think most genuine beginners want to know about a particular piece because they want to learn. This may include knowing how much they should pay or whether they paid too much or whether they've had a bargain. But in the main, they'll want to know about dating, colour, pattern, condition and marks. Someone joining just to ask for a valuation does seem to be a bit of a cheek? Maybe we should direct them to Bidamount's appraisal service? After all, if the only thing they're interested in is knowing how much something is worth so they can sell it, they should be happy to pay the $30 fee?

As ever,

Nic

I realised you meant you, I was trying to say don't worry! ? As for the appraisal service , I had no idea there was one?  ? 

Julia

Posted by: ErrolL

Hi all:

I don't claim to have a solution. However, the fundamental question is what is the purpose of the Forum? To me the main value  lies in the discussion of Asian antiques especially Chinese ones, how we distinguish pieces from different reigns and periods and how we distinguish genuine from fake items. In other words, we need an educational forum. Unfortunately though the Forum seems to have degenerated into a somwhat low-level chat group devoid of scholarship. I don't see it as accomplishing any purpose currently.

Regards,

Errol

Hello Errol et All.

Have you tried the Asian art forum or the antique Chinese porcelain forum? Where as here you can talk price, over there on those you cannot. While they have an intellectual and learning philosophy the forums are nonetheless bombarded with questions about simple kanji or age of new pieces, or modern marks. The 4 or 5 experts day after day answer questions without complaint seemingly. Of course occasionally a real important piece comes along and that's great. They are though extremely generous types and we are all grateful for their knowledge. As I am here too! Creating a two tier system of "chat", maybe more divisive than useful. Just my thoughts. D

Hi,

I just checked out those forums. The Asian Art one has many, many posts with no replies. The Chinese Porcelain forum is just page after page of requests, people requesting help like it’s a public service! It must be terrible for the experts!

You may be right about the two tier system. 

Nic

Hello Supioduo, Julia and Nic:

My remarks were most certainly NOT aimed at anyone and if you construed them in that way I hasten to apologise. I like the congenial nature of the Forum and how nice everyone is here, but I still don't see much purpose for it. I have found some of the threads where we discussed specific items of great interest. For example, we once had a fascinating discussion of blue Chinese prunus vases. I learned a lot as to how one can distinguish the true Kangxi vases with the proper cracked ice pattern from the much more common late 19th century Kangxi revival pieces which don't show the cracked ice pattern as well and are also a deeper blue in color. I also enjoyed the thread on Rose Mandarin and how to date it. My purpose in joining was to learn. However, we have some transients here who buy thrift store items and then hop on to get an opinion. The result is that the forum gets cluttered with a lot of junk items. As I said, I don't have a solution, but someone might have one that would make it more worthwhile for many of us to spend our time here.

Supioduo are you referring to http://www.asianart.com/phpforum.  

If you have other forums would you please provide the links for those? The Asian Art forum  looks interesting and I might give that a try.

Regards,

Errol

I am also a member of the Asian art forum as well.

As has been pointed out, a lot of posts remain unanswered.

The only reason for reading said is that they have a strong jade link with a couple of very highly qualified jade dealers.

They also have Nagy who is fantastic with his translation. He takes the extra step.

Mark

For more academic talk you might try the Gotheborg forum. 

If I misinterpreted anything, I sincerely apologise. But I hope it was clear that I wasn’t in any way critical, only eager to try and find a solution. No offence taken I hope?

I would add that the issues Errol refers to seem to be even more pronounced on the other forums. There are literally pages of requests for authentication and valuations. 

I think the Bidamount Forum is also more conducive to discussion, the format is much clearer and easier to follow. From what I’ve seen, very few of the threads on the Asian Art forum are longer than 2 or 3 comments.

Nic