Asian Antique Shop

Porcelain was invented in ancient China, so it's not at all surprising that Asian antique vases are especially coveted. Early on, Chinese and Japanese artisans mastered the art of making stunning vases from the strong, white clay. Before porcelain was perfected, the ancient Chinese potters also invented the celadon glaze, used to make ceramics and stoneware replicate jade's greenish glow.

During the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) in China, illustrations based on lyrical poems and sto...ries about birds, animals, fish, and insects adorned the vases in cobalt blue—that was the only color available at the time for their particular porcelain-painting technique. That's why blue-and-white designs have become a tradition in Chinese and Japanese porcelain.

The Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), however, brought an explosion of colorful and innovative polychrome porcelain designs, with images drawn in fine lines of dragons and animals like lions and fish. Other drawings were more intricate—motifs for these vases included flowers, fruit, birds, women in traditional dress, and scenes from opera and literature

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), painted porcelain began to be classified by its color palette: famille verte (green and iron red dominate); famille jaune (yellow ground); famille noire (black ground); and famille rose (mostly pink and purple). Around the same time, cloisonné enamel was used to decorate porcelain vases with chrysanthemum, lotus, peony, and rose flowers.

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PAIR BLUE WHITE PORCELAIN GINGER JARS 9 H
	$70.00 (13 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 19:03:56 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Antique 18th C Chinese Meiping Porcelain Peachbloom Langyao Vase
	$3,299.00 End Date: Tuesday May-28-2013 15:55:44 PDT Buy It Now for only: $3,299.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

RARE FAMILLE ROSE OPENWORK PORCELAIN VASE 21 H
	$51.00 (11 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 19:04:00 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

FINE OLD CHINESE QIANLONG MK FAMILLE ROSE 100 BOY PLAYING PORCELAIN VASE
	$641.00 (13 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 19:07:33 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Antique Chinese Famille Rose Vase Republic Era Mounted as Lamp by Rembrandt
	$49.99 (3 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 19:08:23 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Antique Chinese Porcelain Wall Pocket Vase Painted Calligraphy Landscape
	$350.00 End Date: Monday Jun-24-2013 15:46:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: $350.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Antiques Chinas rare Vases Free shipping
	$8.50 (9 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 19:08:27 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

ANTIQUE CHINESE BLUE KANGXI MK UNDERGLAZED IRON RED ENAMEL PORCELAIN VASE
	$496.00 (6 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 19:09:59 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

One of the most common images in antique Asian statuary is the Buddha. With his serene face and relaxed yogic poses, a Buddha statue is intended to bring calmness and peace to everyone who encounters it.

Like most Buddhist art, such religious statues are designed to remind Buddha's followers of eternal truths. For example, the earliest images of Buddha showed him with a pair of Bodhisattvas, enlightened beings who became popular sculptural figures in their own right. These virtuous, generous souls, having stored up a tremendous amount of karma, are on their paths to being Buddhas.

Ancient Buddha statues often show him supported by lions. Buddhist mythology also tells of lions, thought to have magical powers of protection, which is why lion statues can often be found guarding temples. Since the ancient Chinese had never seen a real lion, it is believed they modeled their guardian lion statues after native dogs, such the Chow Chow. Commonly placed outside offices, temples, and businesses, these sculptures came to be known as Foo Dogs, or Fu Dogs.

Another popular motif is the Chinese ruyi, an abstract object, rumored to be an early back-scratcher, with a cloud-like head and S-shaped tail. The ruyi, elaborately carved and often made of expensive materials such as jade, is thought to bring power, leadership, and wealth.
For thousands of years, Chinese artisans have been carving jade, a precious stone believed to link the physical and spiritual realms. Jade has been turned into every object under the sun, including legendary figures, flora, fauna, landscapes, celestial bodies, mythological creatures, religious icons, and symbols of good fortune. The Japanese, meanwhile, became known for the skills in metal, which they routinely applied to statues.

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1100s to 1300s Very Rare Bronze Bagan Pagan Seated Buddha Sakyamuni yqz
	$188.10 (12 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 19:04:01 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Antique Chinese Tibetan Bronze Buddha 14 H 19th C
	$499.00 End Date: Tuesday Jun-18-2013 6:10:21 PDT Buy It Now for only: $499.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Chinese Amber carved Buddha Guanyin Statues Height 10cm
	$7.99 End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 19:50:43 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Antique Chinese Tibetan Bronze Buddha Statue Rare Estate Find Beautiful
	$299.99 End Date: Wednesday Jun-19-2013 7:36:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: $299.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Chinese Wood Carving Prayer Beads Happy Maitrey Buddha Statue Sculpture Amulet
	$6.50 (10 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 20:15:32 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Rare Early 19C Antique Bronze Laos Buddha Statue Sculpture
	$945.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-1-2013 0:14:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: $945.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Hand carved Chinese Shoushan Stone Statue Buddhism Luohan NR
	$27.00 (8 Bids) End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 21:19:55 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

OLD CHINESE porcelain laughing buddha W kasaya statue
	$300.00 End Date: Saturday Jun-22-2013 6:45:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $300.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Nothing is ever easy when it comes to Japanese pottery or porcelain. Indeed, for novices and seasoned collectors alike, terms like "Kutani" and "Satsuma" can be a source of lament, debate and consternation.

What is Satsuma? For one, it is a former Japanese feudal domain in southern Kyushu noted for its role in Japan's modernization. In its prime, Satsuma played a major role in the Meiji Restoration and was one of the most powerful feudal Hans in Tokugawa Japan. Merriam-Webster Online (06/18/08), however, defines it as “any of several cultivated cold-tolerant mandarin trees that bear medium-sized largely seedless fruits with thin smooth skin” (and its fruits). Imagine casually mentioning to someone that you collect Satsuma and having them think, "hum, why oranges?"

Not that they would check it in the middle of a conversation with you (or would they?), this renowned online American dictionary currently makes no mention of Satsuma ware. Not to fret, the three volume 1981 Webster's Third New International Dictionary of the English Language, Unabridged, mentioned it. There, they define Satsuma ware as, “a hard fine-grained buff Japanese pottery first produced about the end of the 16th century, orig. decorated with monochrome glazes, and from the late 18th century finished with increasingly ornate overglaze enamels and gilding.”

If you think that is a mouthful, try this: Most seasoned collectors and dealers would agree that Satsuma ware (“satsuma-yaki” in Japanese) is a type of earthenware (technically somewhere in between pottery and porcelain) named after the Japanese feudal domain in which it was first developed (ironically, by Korean potters) that is primarily identified by its finely crackled transparent glaze, and that Satsuma ware may have little, no or elaborate decoration, yet is most often associated with a particular style of ornamentation executed in polychrome enamels and raised gold popular since it was introduced at the 1867 Paris Exhibition by the Shimazu daimyo (lord) of the Satsuma domain. This ornate style was painstakingly painted, typically in elaborate decoration depicting themes from Japanese culture, flora and fauna. Though often thought of out of context as a completely new style, its development was influenced by other styles and designers of the Meiji period [perhaps even Kutani Shoza (1816-1883)?] in response to competition from “Imari” porcelain and 19th century Anglo-Japanese interactions. Indeed, this particular style of Satsuma ware was specifically produced for the export market (c.f., Brighter than Gold - A Japanese Ceramic Tradition Formed by Foreign Aesthetics by Purple Tigress, published online August 11, 2005).

The 1867 style's long-term and widespread appeal coupled with the fact that most Westerns were introduced to that style and the ware at the same time (so the style and the ware "were" Satsuma ware) has resulted in linguistic development of the term "Satsuma." That is, the use of the word "Satsuma" has evolved from place, to products from the place (oranges and earthenware), to styles associated with products from the place (c.f., Irene Stitt's, Japanese Ceramics of the last 100 Years. Actually, come to think of it, prior to 1867, the ware might not have even been called Satsuma ware - need to look that up). Naturally, differing uses in different places by diverse people often results in debates, confusion and competing interests. For example, although many people seek the popular “1867 style” Satsuma ware, whereas some are only interested in Satsuma-yaki (let’s call these folks "traditionalist"), others are interested in "Satsuman" style items regardless of the type of ware upon which it is found (and these folks "laissez-fairest"). So what?

Well, for one thing since Satsuman style Kutani ware is frequently referred to simply as "Satsuma style" Kutani (c.f., Jan-Erik Nilsson's and Bouvier’s Kutani sites), a keyword search for “Satsuma” will include results that are not Satsuma-yaki. Therefore, traditionalists looking for Satsuma-yaki will have to wade through more results than they would if no one considered Satsuma a style, or if everyone called (and spelled) Satsuma-yaki "Satsumayaki" or "Satsumaware" (in other words, irritating and inconvenient). Laissez-faireists on the other hand find being able to use the word Satsuma to signify a particular style helpful and encourage traditionalist to simply add "-Kutani" to their searches. No doubt, there are folks in both camps that would prefer it if everyone would called the ware Satsumayaki or Satsumaware, yet accept that the natural evolution of language did not follow such a precise path, and it is too late to make significant changes, and that trying to ban use of "Satsuma" as a style would cause more problems than it would solve -- without the desired effect.

A bigger problem related to "Satsuma style" Kutani is that sadly, at times Kutani ware is accidentally or fraudulently misrepresented as Satsuma ware. Since Satsuma ware is typically worth more than Satsuma style Kutani, well, you know how that goes. All the same, before calling someone who misrepresents a particular ware a fraudster, consider that Satsumaware bearing a Kutani mark is not entirely uncommon, and it is not so hard to find Kutani in the very same shapes and styles as Satsuma ware!

What is Kutani? Good question. Well, for one, it is not a type of orange. Disappointingly, the term is not even in the 1981 international unabridged dictionary. Encyclopedia Britannica Online's “Kutani ware” article (retrieved June 18, 2008) introduces it as, “Japanese porcelain made in Kaga province (now in Ishikawa prefecture).” On his Gotheborg site (accessed June 18, 2008), Nilsson relates that the “word Kutani means Nine Valleys and is the name of an area and a village.” He elaborates that decorators trained in Kutani occasionally moved to other areas. Hence, ceramic ware (primarily porcelain, yet sometimes also pottery) that resembles styles associated with Kutani (some of which are similar to the 1867 Satsuma style) are now referred to as Kutani.

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A RARE JAPANESE ANTIQUE 19C MEIJI SATSUMA PORCELAIN CENSOR W MARK
	$122.50 (12 Bids) End Date: Sunday May-26-2013 6:16:24 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Satsuma Japanese Porcelain Ginger Jar Peacocks Design
	$6.99 End Date: Sunday May-26-2013 4:54:26 PDT Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Pair of Antique Japanese Satsuma Hand Painted Porcelain Vase Meiji Period c1900
	$15.12 End Date: Monday May-27-2013 11:01:10 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Satsuma Hand Painted Beautiful Porcelain Egg
	$18.00 End Date: Wednesday Jun-19-2013 17:05:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: $18.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

VINTAGE SATSUMA GOLD GILDED JAPANESE PORCELAIN VASE GHESIA IN GARDEN
	$49.99 End Date: Wednesday May-29-2013 13:51:28 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Satsuma Porcelain Vase
	$39.99 End Date: Monday Jun-24-2013 16:09:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Large Antique Japanese Kutani Satsuma Porcelain Vase Lamp Meiji Period
	$19.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Wednesday May-29-2013 18:02:47 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Vintage Satsuma Porcelain Vase
	$39.99 End Date: Monday Jun-24-2013 16:10:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Chinese Cloisonne Flower Vases - Set of 2

These vases are spectacular examples of classic cloisonne workmanship. Each matched pair is of vintage production from the late 1970s. They are entirely made by hand following centuries old techniques. The vases are enameled with layers of color to create a beautiful flower motif to symbolize prosperity. Sets ship in assorted matching colors. These are historic works of art.

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Vintage Chinese Cloisonne Flower Vases - Set of 2, 7"H, Stands Included

Description

These vases are spectacular examples of classic cloisonne workmanship. Each matched pair is of vintage production from the late 1970s. They are entirely made by hand following centuries old techniques. The vases are enameled with layers of color to create a beautiful flower motif to symbolize prosperity. Sets ship in assorted matching colors. These are historic works of art.

Features

• Each cloisonne vase is model hammered from copper with welded filigree work
• Repeated enamel filling, baking, and polishing creates a smooth, colorful and elegant finish
• Assorted colors and designs; each floral motif is a symbol of prosperity
• Price is for a pair of vintage matched vases
• Hand crafted in Beijing, China circa 1970

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Mother of Pearl Inlay Art Lacquer Finish Crane Bird and Pine Tree Design Luxury Handmade Solid Thick Wood Hall Asian Oriental Furniture Home Decor 6-Panel Folding Screen Room Divider

Designed to ornament a part of a room, this magnificent folding screen depicts a serene image of a serene image of cranes and old pine tree that are amazingly inlaid with unique mother of pearl inlay technique and raised above the surface as if carved in relief. The pine tree is a symbol of elevated consciousness and dignified spirit, and cranes represent nobility. The elaborate adornment with the iridescence of intricate mother of pearl designs makes it a memorable item for any collection. * Notice: This item is made to order. Please inquire the availability.

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Mother of Pearl Inlay Art Lacquer Finish Crane Bird and Pine Tree Design Luxury Handmade Solid Thick Wood Hall Asian Oriental Furniture Home Decor 6-Panel Folding Screen Room Divider Sale Price: $25,000.00   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 1 new from $25,000.00

Description

Designed to ornament a part of a room, this magnificent folding screen depicts a serene image of a serene image of cranes and old pine tree that are amazingly inlaid with unique mother of pearl inlay technique and raised above the surface as if carved in relief. The pine tree is a symbol of elevated consciousness and dignified spirit, and cranes represent nobility. The elaborate adornment with the iridescence of intricate mother of pearl designs makes it a memorable item for any collection.

* Notice: This item is made to order. Please inquire the availability.

Features

• Masterpiece of mother of pearl inlay art
• Three dimensional effect of mother of pearl inlay as if carved in relief
• Beautiful design and iridescent colors of mother of pearl
• Individually handcrafted with unique Korean traditional mother of pearl inlay technique that have lasted 1,000 years
• Size: 94.5"W x 1"D x 62.6"H (210 x 2.5 x 159cm)

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Solid Wood Room Divider - Imperial Court Design

The Imperial Court scene depicted across the face of this folding screen will add a touch of old world Chinese elegance to your home! This 6-panel room screen is extra wide for added privacy and a grand appearance. The room divider screen is constructed of solid wood with a hand carved clay facade that has been hand finished in black lacquer and antique-style gold leafing. The benefits of this room divider are many; use it to create privacy in shared spaces, section off an intimate area in a large room, or simply use it as a decorative backdrop and inspiration piece for your home's decor.

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4 3 Panel Wood Room Divider Screen Flowered Shoji
	$84.00 End Date: Saturday May-25-2013 20:02:29 PDT Buy It Now for only: $84.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Antique 6 Foot Tall 4 Panel Screen or Room Divider Coromandel Screen
	$300.00 End Date: Monday May-27-2013 16:50:43 PDT Buy It Now for only: $400.00 Buy It Now | Bid now | Add to watch list

4 3 Panel Wood Flowered Shoji Room Divider Screen
	$59.99 End Date: Thursday May-30-2013 22:12:14 PDT Buy It Now for only: $59.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

3 and 4 Panel Shoji Screen Room Dividers in Black Cherry or Natural Color
	$78.00 End Date: Friday Jun-7-2013 15:16:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: $78.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

3 4 Panel Fabric In Lay Espresso Room Screen Divider
	$78.00 End Date: Wednesday May-29-2013 12:48:39 PDT Buy It Now for only: $78.00 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

4 3 Panel Wood Shoji Room Divider Screen Bambo
	$79.99 End Date: Tuesday Jun-11-2013 1:07:59 PDT Buy It Now for only: $79.99 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

4 Panel Floor Folding Screen Room Divider Water Hyacinth Panels Asian Flare
	$104.96 End Date: Wednesday Jun-5-2013 14:42:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: $104.96 Buy It Now | Add to watch list

Vintage Asian Japanese room divider 6 panel folding screen embroiderd silk
	$250.00 End Date: Friday May-31-2013 7:44:48 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

How to Determine the Age of Antique Chinese Furniture

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By Tom McGregor

Chinese art, especially its fine art, has a unique style all of its own. When one observes the paintings depicting the country's imperial dynastic era, they can view a broad array of images, which range from beautiful women dressed in luxurious robes to exquisite representations of natural landscapes, as well as depictions of rural or city lives that only exist in the history books nowadays. We are drawn to a world that seems glorious and fascinating.

We behold the beauty of China's long-and-storied history. We become transfixed by the intricate details of porcelain and antiques, where even a mere tea cup portraying dragon images captures the interests of everyone including those without artistic expertise.

Accordingly, Chinese art has been growing in popularity not just in China or throughout the Asian continent, but all over the world. For more than a few centuries in the Western world, many fans of art focused much of their attention upon Western European and American artists. The names of Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso are easily recognized as revered and respected artists for Westerners, but in the households of the United States of America and Europe, only a few can name a single Chinese artist of world-renowned fame.

Yet, times appear to be changing as a new global economic and political shift has been emerging away from the West and towards the East. Hence, art investors are flocking into China to purchase artworks and display these goods in art museums, hotel lobbies and other public venues in their home and neighboring nations, which brings global attention to Chinese artists. Some investors are reaping substantial profits.

An investment in Chinese art appears to make good sense since the world stock markets are embroiled in the grips of economic turmoil and many countries are suffering from high unemployment rates and inflation is surging above the norm.

A number of investors seeking more profits are cashing out of their stocks and mutual funds and flushing their liquidity into gold and other commodities. Yet, gold has been getting more expensive as it hovers regularly around $1,700 an ounce. One should understand the price of gold fluctuates up-and-down on a minute-by-minute basis. Hence, investors with access to large cash reserves are starting to see the strong value in purchasing Chinese art.

The China Daily reports that, "much like individuals, Chinese collectors who have made a splash in global art auctions over the past few years, China Inc. and foreign businesses with ties to the Middle Kingdom are increasingly investing valuable time and financial resources on contemporary Chinese art."

Meg Maggio, director of Peking Fine Arts in Beijing, said the public should expect to witness more Chinese and foreign-owned corporations collecting higher quality artworks for public spaces to "enhance their corporate profile and public relations profile," as well as contributing to an improvement "of the interior and exterior environments surrounding their corporate headquarters."

Apparently, the China Mensing Bank Art collection appears to hold the largest contemporary Chinese art collection.

According to the China Daily, "Fortune 500 corporations and financial institutions have long collected art and antiquities and have invested hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars in recent decades to amass and display an impressive array of works by top artists."

Deutsche Bank, Microsoft, Progressive Insurance, JP Morgan, Clifford Chance, Flemings, UBS and Hallmark have started to focus on acquiring exquisite Chinese art. Maggio noted these overseas firms have already enjoyed a history of collecting art and as their business expanded into China, their corporate art collections are reflecting an interest in the rising China market.

Shang Chuang, director of investor relations and corporate development at Noah Holdings Ltd., a wealth management firm, said, "I'm not surprised that corporations are buying art. I would say the appreciation of contemporary Chinese art is client-driven as more businesses are targeting or having more Chinese customers."

Chinese artwork appears poised for an economic boom while on the brink of receiving greater attention from the world. A rise in the value of Chinese art could inspire a stronger appreciation for studying China's history, literature, culture and society as a whole. Promoting Chinese art improves the nation's image and fortifies its soft power diplomacy. Art appeals to beauty, while the aesthetics of Chinese art amplifies beauty all the more.

Thinking about Chinese art merely as an investment fails to be sufficient. They say there are no guarantees in life except for death and taxes; therefore purchasing valuable Chinese art does not ensure a profit. If an investment goes bad, does that mean the investor should withhold an appreciation for Chinese art? Certainly not, but when someone views the world only in monetary terms, one would lack a sincere appreciation in art for art's sake.

Hence, Chinese art deserves more global recognition, not just for its overall investment value, but for its propensity to highlight beauty and the intricate depictions of the China of an ancient age. Some Chinese art embodies the Chinese folktales where mythical dragons and serpents reigned supreme in Chinese literature and its oral traditions. Through a greater appreciation of Chinese art the world can better understand the mysteries and wonders of China.

Appraising Chinese antiques begins with discovering the dynasty of the object. Several various markers assist with gaining this knowledge. A seal may actually state the dynasty on the ceramics, painting or furniture. The pattern of the piece may suggest a specific dynasty, giving the appraiser the opportunity to evaluate the pieces worth.

1. Examine the seals on the antiques. Often, the crafts person will sign with a seal of origin and the name of the house of artisans of a particular dynasty. How common or if in every dynasty, rural antiques are dubious, research on the various dynasty and artisans. The Emperor probably gave a seal to the artisans directly under his charge, for palace furnishings and gifts. More than likely, the supporters of these artisans received a stamp also. These patterns are similar to the Japanese shogun flowers and geometric patches for the kimono of the samurai.

2. Look for specific patterns. Specific patterns were introduced on various dynasties' to denote a time reference in your antique evaluation. Most museums with a Chinese ceramics and painting department will have list and photographs of the patterns, many are still popular today and used in china dinnerware for example.

3. Check the glaze colors; glazes denote certain dynastic periods; Celadon green a classic from the Ming Dynasty, where cadmium yellows introduced onto the glazing processes, crating a unique light yellow green, like jade in color. The Kangxi period (1669-1772), blue and white porcelain created during several dynasties, and the refined drawings style, became known even to the Dutch masters blue porcelain, these works became increasingly popular in Europe. Also from the Kangxi period are the tri colored porcelains of unique and delicate beauty, unmistakable to an appraisal, since their colors and forms are unique. Ming dynasty ground yellow glazes with the green dragon are unmistakable, and easily identifiable.

A great place to begin your quest for affordable Chinese antiques of all types is the Asian Antiques Shop at http://www.asianantiquebargains.com.

Northern and Southern Styles of Chinese Antiques
John and YuQing talk about the difference between Northern and Southern Chinese antiques.

A great place to begin your exploration of both Northern and Southern Chinese antiques is the Asian Antiques Shop at http://www.asianantiquebargains.com.

By Laura Imkamp

Legend has it; China owes its name to the modest city of Jingdezhen.
For roughly 1,800 years, Jingdezhen, whose old name was Changnan, has been home to some of the world's best and most valuable handmade porcelain. The story goes that as the porcelain industry grew the pronunciation among porcelain traders morphed from “Changnan” to “China.” Eventually, the whole country became synonymous with the porcelain.

It's no easy job for modern-day Jingdezhen to keep pace with its glorious past. In a country where cheap labor and industrialization outperform traditional craftsmanship, the third-tier city is struggling to preserve the practice of making china by hand, while keeping businesses afloat.
Porcelain shopping trap

Unless you break it or you're a collector, at some point you just don't buy any more.
— porcelain seller Jiang Meirong on the slowing demand for china.

Located in northern Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen lives and breathes porcelain. Billboards advertise porcelain shops. Jars and vases spill out of every store. Lampposts are wrapped in porcelain decoration.
With a population of just over 1.5 million, the city has four major porcelain markets and an endless number of small porcelain retail stores. Competition is tough and many traders have resorted to sourcing machine-made porcelain and slapping on a Jingdezhen label.

According to Natalie Wu, a 29-year-old Jingdezhen native and tour guide, the products in porcelain markets in Jingdezhen are generally of low quality and aren't even necessarily from the city itself.
"Instead of making it by hand, all of those products are machine-made -- so it's cheaper and produced faster, but the quality is not as good as authentic handmade Jingdezhen porcelain," Wu says.

Wu explains that store owners won't always admit when a piece of porcelain is from out of town, even when the customer asks.
"But if the patterns are exactly the same on multiple items, then it's likely a decal and probably from somewhere else."
The biggest difference lies beneath the surface.

"Other cities use lower firing temperatures so the porcelain breaks more easily," says Jiang Meirong, a 72-year-old stall owner at the International Trade Square porcelain market.

"Jingdezhen porcelain is harder, and the clay is better here."

According to china seller Jiang Meirong the whiter the porcelain, the better its quality.
More competition, fewer buyers

Running a porcelain business in Jingdezhen was much easier 10 years ago -- easier to sell, easier to export, and an easier way to make a living.

"Now there's very fierce competition," Jiang says. "There are more shops, so prices have gone down. A lot of people from other cities who paint and sell porcelain are coming here to make a higher profit."

Coupled with mediocre working conditions -- from porcelain dust or hunching over a piece all day -- the downturn is driving people to look for different jobs with higher salaries.

A bigger problem is the lack of young porcelain dealers or craftsmen. According to Jiang, more and more of the younger generation are moving away from Jingdezhen. Jiang’s whole family has always been in the industry, but now three of her four children are in other industries.

Jiang also points out that people don’t buy porcelain that often.
“Unless you break it or you're a collector, at some point you just don't buy any more."

Traditional craftsmanship
To preserve its historic legacy, Jingdezhen government's cultural division has hired masters to continue the traditional art form.
At Jingdezhen's Ancient Kiln Folk Exhibition, the masters continue to create porcelain based on ancient procedures.
Every step is performed by a retired professional, with his or her plaques of achievement hanging above the work station. Most of them have worked on just one step in the manufacturing process all their life.

They're doing pottery in a more artistic way. Some people are inventing new formulas for the glaze, some are inventing new styles.

— Natalie Wu, Jingdezhen native and tour guide
"I like making the body," says Wang Yansheng, one of the specialists aged 73. "In my whole life that's all I've learned and all I ever did."

Young perspective
Although many young people choose to leave the porcelain capital, Jingdezhen also hosts China's only ceramics university that attracts young talent interested in the ancient craft.

At Jingdezhen Ceramics Institute, tour guide Natalie Wu also studies antique porcelain. She says the students are getting creative, adding modern elements and design ideas from other countries such as Japan.
"They're doing pottery in a more artistic way -- some people are inventing new formulas for the glaze, some are inventing new styles," she says.

A great way to learn more about Jingdezhen polaircen or Asian porcelain in general is to visit The Asian Antiques Shop at http://www.asianantiquebargains.com.

With the designs becoming more creative and influenced by other cultures, china in the future is going to be very different.

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