Faking China
Saw this documentary on National Geographic called "Faking China". The one-hour programme focused mainly on replicas of procelain ware. Now, I'm totally cynical about the so-called antiques found at 潘家圆 and 琉璃厂. All that this vase was found in the room of the No. 4th emperor etc etc and if it's fake you can come back and I'll refund you...are probably fairy tales and empty promises. I'm glad I haven't been cheated bad like someone featured in the documentary was. Millions of dollars the avid collector was cheated of!
It is a battle of the fakers and the experts. Their replication techniques are so good, it has escaped some of the most modern tests experts have put these pieces through. There are so many innovative ways these "fakers" have invented -- putting the finished pieces through x-rays to add a few thousand years to it; submerging it in potassium pomegranate; rubbing it with mashed up soil and dirt and so on. If experts can't even tell the difference, what more an ignorant tourist like me? So I've decided, if I fancy anything there, I shall not pay more than S$20 for it. Haha.
The capital of procelain ware lies in 景德镇, some place in China and over there, they've got like the best soil that is used to make the best clay for pottery. The craftsmen here take pride in making these wares, some of whom try to make them as authentic as possible, not to be passed off as genuine stuff, but as quality replicas. Now I know where to get my crockery if I'm ever going to want a set of Ming-dynasty styled bowls and plates.
Speaking of china, I've never been a great fan of china. Maybe because I haven't seen really delicate ones. Until today.
On the programme they featured one vase that was being auctioned for almost US$40 million dollars. THAT is a gorgeous piece. But it is a gorgeous piece on its own. And I believe it will greatly add value to a living room for instance if it was strategically placed amongst everything else. The problem with a lot of collectors is, they get over-excited and want to display everything they've got, making the house look more like a district museum. Antiques should stand solitary in a display cabinet, spread out evenly, so each piece is given the space and attention it deserves.
Then again, what do I know?
It is a battle of the fakers and the experts. Their replication techniques are so good, it has escaped some of the most modern tests experts have put these pieces through. There are so many innovative ways these "fakers" have invented -- putting the finished pieces through x-rays to add a few thousand years to it; submerging it in potassium pomegranate; rubbing it with mashed up soil and dirt and so on. If experts can't even tell the difference, what more an ignorant tourist like me? So I've decided, if I fancy anything there, I shall not pay more than S$20 for it. Haha.
The capital of procelain ware lies in 景德镇, some place in China and over there, they've got like the best soil that is used to make the best clay for pottery. The craftsmen here take pride in making these wares, some of whom try to make them as authentic as possible, not to be passed off as genuine stuff, but as quality replicas. Now I know where to get my crockery if I'm ever going to want a set of Ming-dynasty styled bowls and plates.
Speaking of china, I've never been a great fan of china. Maybe because I haven't seen really delicate ones. Until today.
On the programme they featured one vase that was being auctioned for almost US$40 million dollars. THAT is a gorgeous piece. But it is a gorgeous piece on its own. And I believe it will greatly add value to a living room for instance if it was strategically placed amongst everything else. The problem with a lot of collectors is, they get over-excited and want to display everything they've got, making the house look more like a district museum. Antiques should stand solitary in a display cabinet, spread out evenly, so each piece is given the space and attention it deserves.
Then again, what do I know?
posted by Me at 9:58 pm
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