Throughout history, the adage ‘In turbulent times, hoard gold; in prosperous eras, collect porcelain’ has resonated among nobility and elites, who regarded porcelain as treasure alongside gold. The saying ‘Better own a shard of porcelain than possess ten thousand coins’ underscores how porcelain once surpassed gold in value. Why is ceramics so expensive? Does it hold collectible and investment potential? In today’s era of internet technology and industrialization, we analyze this from the following perspectives:
Ceramics is the most significant category in Chinese collectibles: In China, ceramics has always been the foremost collectible category, cherished by emperors across dynasties and commoners alike. With a history spanning nearly 3,000 years, porcelain is a unique Chinese creation and a crystallization of Huaxia’s artistic masterpieces. Traces of porcelain can be found throughout the halls of the Forbidden City, showcasing not only complex firing techniques but also exquisitely intricate designs. During the Qing Dynasty’s three reigns, the supervising official Tao Ying even innovated nine types of revolving vases exclusively for the emperor, elevating Qing porcelain to its peak. In households, nearly every family displays ceramic artworks and daily utensils, demonstrating how ceramics serves not only as elegant everyday items but also as art that captivates the world. Ceramics is the hottest category in Chinese collectibles: Moreover, Chinese ceramics remains exceptionally popular in major art markets. Annual art trade statistics consistently highlight ceramic artworks as top performers, leading the rankings. Programs like CCTV’s ‘Treasure Hunt’ and media features such as ‘National Treasure’ frequently showcase ceramics, emphasizing its role not just as an artistic gem but also as a vital national symbol promoting Chinese culture globally. For instance, the Boston Museum of Art displayed a Song Dynasty Ding ware string-patterned Zun alongside its prototype, illustrating this cultural bridge. Ceramics is the most recognized category in the Chinese collectibles market: Furthermore, porcelain enjoys extremely high recognition in China and worldwide. Countless transactions attest to its value, aptly described by the phrase ‘Millions-worth ceramics abound, while billion-yuan pieces emerge monthly.’ Notable examples include the Qing Qianlong ‘Auspicious Fish’ famille-rose revolving vase, sold for 550 million RMB at Bainbridge’s in the UK; the Yuan blue-and-white ‘Guiguzi Descending the Mountain’ jar, acquired by Eskenazi for 230 million RMB; and the Ming Chenghua doucai ‘chicken cup,’ purchased by Liu Yiqian for over 290 million RMB. These reflect the intrinsic worth of Chinese ceramics, which combines handcrafting with traditional culture, painting, calligraphy, and other arts into masterpieces that command high prices, especially those by renowned makers.Ceramics hold the highest global status among Chinese art forms: Chinese ceramics have long commanded absolute authority in the world! It can be said that prior to the Qing Dynasty, Chinese diplomacy primarily revolved around porcelain. Westerners even regarded possession of Chinese porcelain as a symbol of status. The everyday porcelain used in China was considered luxury items, or even ‘divine gifts,’ in the eyes of Western nobility. Visit major Western national museums—such as the Palace of Fontainebleau in France and the British Museum in the UK—and you will find them abundantly adorned with Chinese ceramics. For a significant period, Chinese ceramics were an unsurpassable presence. This is the essence of Chinese ceramics!
Why do porcelain pieces hold such immense value? First, it depends on whether the master artisans are inheritors of imperial porcelain techniques. Second, it hinges on whether the firing skills represent millennia-old unparalleled craftsmanship. When both conditions are met, the work inevitably becomes today’s art and tomorrow’s cultural relic! Chinese ceramic art stands on the solid foundation of five thousand years of exceptional culture, embodying the Chinese nation’s millennia-long journey toward realizing grand aspirations through cultural, artistic, and material perspectives. Thanks to these great artworks, we grow ever more convinced that the Chinese nation possesses extraordinary creativity, destined to continue forging and perpetuating the great Chinese civilization. Appreciation of Ceramic Works (Handcrafted): – ‘Nostalgia’ Warming Wine Pot by Wang Huili – Famille Rose Flower-and-Bird Tea Caddy by Xu Guoming – Famille Rose 8-Piece Tea Set by Xu Guoming – Famille Rose Flower-and-Bird Teapot by Xu Guoming – Famille Rose Flower-and-Bird Handle Teapot by Xu Guoming