The Uniqueness of Asian Antique Furniture
Written by admin on July 31, 2009 – 3:30 pm -Asian Antique Furniture is remarkable and varied. It extends across many more centuries than all American antiques and most European ones. The diversity of styles and periods are incredible. If you thought it was tricky to identify and appraise American antiques you are in for a real growth experience as you learn how to even distinguish the average from the excellent in Asian antique furniture. Sometimes it requires an expert to determine authenticity. I find it interesting that artisans were not only guided by local culture and local woods, but they had to follow rules for all sorts of furniture. Consequently you need to assess the workmanship, the origin and the design in the process of judging Asian antique furniture. The carpenter needed... more
Tags: Asian Antiques, Chinese Antiques
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New twist to bone china craft
Written by admin on July 26, 2009 – 2:29 am -By Elise Fu With a taste for Chinese culture developed from her mother, Grace Liu has turned her creative talent into a unique brand of hand-painted porcelain items that revive and advance age old traditions, Elise Fu reports. Although American-born Grace Liu has always been fascinated by traditional Chinese culture, the path to her current immersion in it was not always obvious. As a young graduate, she landed a dream job with the computer giant IBM in sales and marketing and eventually spent eight years with the firm. It was only after leaving the company that she was able to realize her creative ambitions. Creativity seems to run in her blood although it wasn't formalized through any art majors in her university studies. But her sensitivity... more
Tags: antique accessories from china, Asian Antiques, Chinese Antiques
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‘Roadshow’ appraisal means million-dollar trinkets for Chicago native
Written by admin on July 15, 2009 – 10:52 pm -by Mike Thomas, Chicago Suntimes Chicago native Trapper Cramer always kidded friends that he owned a million-dollar collection of rare carved artifacts from China. None of them really believed him. They do now. When the North Carolina-based artist, 59, and his wife, Jinx Taylor, brought some family heirlooms to a Raleigh, N.C., taping of PBS' "Antiques Roadshow," they were floored to learn the truth about their collection of carved jade that dates to the 18th century Chien Lung Dynasty. According to poker-faced "Roadshow" appraiser James Callahan, four of the most valuable pieces are worth a total of $710,000 to $1.07 million. Conservatively. The episode is slated to air sometime in January. Little more than sentimental eye candy for decades,... more
Tags: Asian Antiques, asian decorative arts, Chinese Antiques
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Antique Chinese Ceramics
Written by admin on July 15, 2009 – 5:01 am -Early Chinese Ceramics By the Shang period (c.1600-c.1050) when stonewares were first produced in China, there was an advanced ceramic technology, with the separate high-fired and low-fired traditions of Chinese ceramics already apparent. The high-fired Yue stonewares produced from the 3rd century AD were the precursors of the great celadons of the Song period and represent a high level of technical and artistic achievement. EARLY WARES The earliest known Chinese ceramics are low-fired eathenwares dating from the Neolithic period. Distinct traditions emerged in the Central (c.5000-c.2500 BC) and Western (c.3300-c.1800 BC) Yangshao cultures and the Dawenkou culture (c.5800-c.1500 BC) in the north-east. The distinctive bulbous red Yangshao earthen... more
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Antique Chinese Yuang and Early Ming Porcelain
Written by admin on July 5, 2009 – 5:36 am -During the Mongol occupation and the early reigns of the Ming Dynasty, momentous changes occurred at Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province. The kilns came under imperial patronage, and fine porcelain with underglaze decoration supplanted the glazed stonewares of the Song period as the most desirable form of ceramic. Exported Longquan celadons remained a vital source of revenue for the government. PORCELAIN Although porcellaneous wares had been made from the late 6th century, it was at Jingdezhen that porcelain developed to its full potential. The addition of kaolin (china clay) to the batch made it possible to make much larger pieces than before. Shu fu wares, which take their name from the two moulded Chinese characters shit and fu (”Privy Council”)... more
Tags: Asian Antiques, asian decorative arts, Chinese Antiques
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Antique Chinese Qing Porcelain
Written by admin on July 5, 2009 – 5:34 am -During the Qianlong reign period (1736-95) the directorship of the imperial kilns passed from imperial officials to regional supervisors, and from that time there followed a slow decline in the quality of wares from Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province. While some fine pieces continued to be made, there was a general tendency to over-elaborate in both form and decoration. BODY AND GLAZE The changes in the quality of the material were gradual and, when wares are unmarked, it can be very difficult to distinguish between one reign period and another. The dragon and phoenix wucai bowls, which were first made during the Kangxi reign period (1622-1722), continued to be made right into the 19th century and are a good example of the problem; their smooth... more
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The Joys of Chinese Porcelain
Written by admin on July 5, 2009 – 5:32 am -Jun Porcelain manufacture goes back Song Dynasty (960–1279) and originated in Yuzhou, Henan Province. The porcelain is known for its bright color, elegant proportions, exquisite shapes, and clear sound when tapped. Several dynastic emperors were fond of it, considered it rare, and commissioned utensils for the royal court. Very few commoners could afford these possessions, and prices rose. The uniqueness of this porcelain comes from the craftsmen's way of firing the green-ware, as the unfinished piece is called. Application of copper and the craftsman's skills play a distinct role in how the finished piece will look. The Ru porcelain, originating in Rushou, near Yuzhou, is another specialty heralding back to the Song Dynasty. Ru porcelain... more
Tags: antique accessories from china, Chinese Antiques
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