The so-called antique porcelain was previously copied from a certain product. Its imitation quality sought to be realistic, compared with the real thing, it could reach the shape of the device, and the tires, glazes, and materials were similar. The decorative pictures and the bottom models could also be awesome. The antique porcelain pursues godlikeness and ancient charm. The antique porcelain of the Ming kiln factory was produced according to the emperor’s will, so some of the products can be “antique and concordant with the true”. In the prosperous era of Kanggan in the Qing Dynasty, a new scene of prosperity appeared in the porcelain industry in Jingdezhen, and another climax in antique porcelain.
Figure. Qing Yongzheng Dou Cai picking pattern plum vase (Beijing Palace Museum collection)
In the early 1980’s, in order to solve the problem of insufficient funds in the museum, the Jingdezhen Ceramic Museum copied the ancient porcelain such as Yuan and Ming blue and white. The date of the imitation of the collection of the blue and white flowers in the Yuan Museum coincides with the ancient ceramics research expert Geng Baochang of the Palace Museum, who graded the ancient porcelain in the Jingdezhen Ceramics Museum. He was very pleased to see the antique porcelain and gave a high evaluation. Mr. Geng Baochang commented on antique porcelain, saying that antique porcelain is the inheritance and development of the ancient Chinese excellent ceramic culture. If the ceramics imitated can make the real ancient ceramic appreciation experts eye-catching, then its value is no different from the national treasure-level ceramic art treasures .
Fig. Qing Qianlong pastel peony pattern jade pot spring bottle (collected by the Beijing Palace Museum)
“Gold in hard times, Tibetan porcelain in the flourishing age” has become a law in the collection industry. Ceramics are a collection of highly valuable works of art. The collection of genuine products is rare and precious. To this end, Ms. Chen Yejun, president of the modern ceramic arts and senior collector of the Hubei Collectors Association, suggested that ceramic collectors should focus on contemporary art porcelain and contemporary fine antique porcelain.
Figure. Qing Yongzheng Mocai Landscape Wood Grain Pen Holder (collected by the Beijing Palace Museum)
The antique porcelain is meticulous in its production technology. Some porcelains use high technology to conduct molecular analysis and reformulate the raw material formula. The products are expensive, laborious, and exquisite. Some antique porcelains use the technique of imitation of ancient porcelain, combined with the artist’s conception and creation, to form a unique artistic style, it has become a precious work of art itself. The antique porcelain produced in this way is a fine collection and is the best choice for collectors. Today’s new porcelain, after decades, centuries, and millennia, has also become an antique.
Antique porcelain has been recognized in the field of ceramics collection. In recent years, with the improvement of people’s living standards and the enhancement of appreciation ability, it has been sought after by ceramic lovers.
On September 6, 2014, at the Sotheby’s auction in New York, a Qing Qianlong imitation Yuan blue and white lotus plate was sold for 726,700 Hong Kong dollars;
On October 5, 2011, at the Sotheby’s Autumn Auction in Hong Kong, Ming Yongle’s blue-and-white flower branches and fruit-shaped plum bottles were sold for RMB 138,302 million;
On May 19, 2011, at the Hanhai Spring Auction in Beijing, Qing Qianlong blue-and-white flower branches and fruit-shaped plum bottles were sold for 23 million yuan;
On June 28, 2013, at the Beijing Nine Songs Auction, the Qing Yongzheng imitation Yongle blue and white moon-bottles were sold for 6.325 million yuan;
On December 3, 2014, at the Beijing Poly Auction, a Qing Yongzheng imitation into a Yuntou Eight Treasure Goblet was sold for 1.243 million Hong Kong dollars;