When you pick up a piece of blue and white porcelain, have you ever thought about the profound history behind this small porcelain?Today, let's walk into the world of blue and white porcelain and explore its historical origins, identification methods and investment value.
Blue and white porcelain, also known as blue and white porcelain on white ground, often referred to as blue and white, is one of the mainstream varieties of Chinese porcelain, which belongs to underglaze colored porcelain. Blue and white porcelain is made of cobalt ore containing cobalt oxide as raw material, depicting ornamentation on the ceramic body, and then covering with a layer of transparent glaze, which is fired at one time by a high-temperature reduction flame. The cobalt material is blue after firing, and has the characteristics of strong tinting strength, bright color, high firing rate and stable color. According to historical records, the origin of blue and white porcelain can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty, which has a history of thousands of years. Since the Tang Dynasty, blue and white porcelain has gradually become a royal object, regarded as a symbol of power and status. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, the production skills of blue and white porcelain reached its peak, and Jingdezhen was known as the "porcelain capital", attracting countless literati and collectors.
In the face of the dazzling blue and white porcelain market, how to identify the real and fake has become an important issue. Here are a few practical identification methods:
Look at the cobalt material: Genuine blue and white porcelain is made of cobalt ore and has a blue color with a slightly calm black spot. Counterfeit and shoddy products, on the other hand, often use chemical dyes, and the color floats on the surface.
Ornamentation: The decoration of genuine blue and white porcelain is natural and smooth, with a sense of hierarchy. Imitations are often dull and stiff.
Listen to the sound: Gently tapping the porcelain, the sound of the real product is crisp and pleasant, while the sound of the imitation is dull.
Look at the fetal quality: Genuine blue and white porcelain fetal quality is delicate and translucent. The tire quality of imitation products is often rough and lacks texture.
Measure the weight: Under the same size, the weight of genuine blue and white porcelain will be heavier than that of imitation because of its exquisite craftsmanship.
In recent years, with people's attention to traditional culture and the heating up of the collection market, the investment value of blue and white porcelain has become increasingly prominent. So, what kind of blue and white porcelain has more investment potential?
High rarity: Rare and precious blue and white porcelain is naturally the first choice for investment. For example, the blue and white porcelain in the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty is highly sought after because of the very small number of surviving in the world.
Exquisite craftsmanship: Exquisite porcelain-making technology is an important criterion to measure the value of blue and white porcelain. In particular, those works that are hand-painted and delicately painted are more popular in the market.
Good state of preservation: Well-preserved blue and white porcelain is easier to retain its value. Therefore, investors should be cautious about porcelain that has obvious flaws or breakages.
From the hands of famous artists: The works of famous artists are often the darlings of the market because of their excellent skills and reputation. For example, during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, the "cowpea red glaze blue and white landscape figure pattern stick mallet bottle" was drawn by the famous craftsmen at that time, which is very collectible.
The theme is good: Blue and white porcelain with auspicious meaning and rich cultural connotation is often more loved by people. Blue and white porcelain with traditional themes such as landscapes, flowers and birds, and human figures is highly sought after because of its beautiful meaning.
Through the above historical origins, identification methods and investment value of blue and white porcelain, it is not difficult for us to find the profound cultural heritage and unique charm contained in this ancient art form. As an important part of traditional Chinese culture, blue and white porcelain is not only a work of art or a collection, but also a witness of history and cultural inheritance. Therefore, for our generation, entering the world of blue and white porcelain is not only a process of appreciating beauty, but also a responsibility for the respect and inheritance of traditional culture. It is hoped that through the sharing of this article, more people can understand and fall in love with the unique art form of blue and white porcelain, and jointly contribute to the inheritance and promotion of Chinese culture. At the same time, I also hope that this article will be helpful to those who are interested in blue and white porcelain investment, so that you can appreciate the beauty and reap the return of wealth at the same time.