Investment and Appraisal of Chinese Artworks Series - Ming Dynasty Porcelain

Author: Shi Shuqing, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-06-01
Features: China Water Conservancy and Electric Power Press is a central-level publishing organization with a rigorous work ethic, meticulous management, and over 40 years of history. It is among the first batch of "National Outstanding Publishers." Initially, it primarily published scientific and technical publications on water conservancy and power. With the expansion of its business and growing strength, it has now successively published a wide range of publications in civil construction, computer science, tourism, and other fields, earning the praise and approval of readers. On this basis, we are committed to promoting the spirit of scientific exploration and the heritage of traditional culture, striving to integrate science and art, and blending publishing with culture, doing our part to preserve traditional Chinese art. For this purpose, we are honored to invite the renowned art appraisal expert, Mr. Shi Shuqing, to compile this series of "Investment and Appraisal of Chinese Artworks," with the strong support of Yachang Enterprise Co., Ltd. We extend our gratitude to them here. Compared to other published books in the same category, the greatest feature of this series is that the experts combine their years of experience to analyze the key points of collecting and appreciating various types of artworks, making every word valuable. Nearly 300 artworks in each book are carefully selected and thoroughly analyzed by experts, showcasing high representativeness and informativeness. Through reading and appreciation, readers can not only gain comprehensive knowledge of artworks but also master the essence of appraisal. This series is highly suitable for collectors and enthusiasts of all backgrounds in the field of art. To save space, this series uses abbreviations for auction houses, such as "China" referring to "China International Auction Company," etc. All monetary units in the book are in "ten thousand yuan," and dimensions are in "centimeters," and so on, without listing every example—please note.
The Ming Dynasty was a significant period in the history of Chinese porcelain development. During this time, both imperial and private kilns saw notable advancements in porcelain production techniques. Building upon the traditional focus on single-color glazes inherited from the Song and Yuan dynasties, the Ming Dynasty vigorously developed polychrome, doucai, and various colored glaze porcelain. The blue-and-white porcelain of Jingdezhen also further developed and improved during the Ming Dynasty, evolving from a mature porcelain variety in the Yuan Dynasty to a perfectly refined and flourishing mainstream in the country. The prosperity of the Ming Dynasty's porcelain industry, where "imperial and private kilns competed in the market," not only established the position of Ming porcelain in the history of ceramics but also laid a solid foundation for the brilliance of Qing Dynasty porcelain.
Throughout the Ming Dynasty, Jingdezhen was the "center of porcelain production in the world," where the finest and most exquisite porcelain originated. The blue-and-white, white, polychrome, and single-color glaze porcelain of Jingdezhen during the Ming Dynasty combined the strengths of famous kilns from various dynasties, absorbing and innovating in porcelain production techniques. This led to remarkable achievements, making Jingdezhen the hub of porcelain production in the country.
Apart from Jingdezhen, Longquan kilns in Zhejiang and Dehua kilns in Fujian were also renowned during the Ming Dynasty. The shapes of Ming Dynasty porcelain were characterized by fullness, thickness, and simplicity, with soft and rounded lines, showcasing a rustic and solemn beauty. At the same time, over the 270 years of the Ming Dynasty, the differences in living habits, aesthetic standards, and technical conditions across different historical periods resulted in porcelain shapes reflecting distinct characteristics of each era.
This book introduces the knowledge of collecting and appraising Ming Dynasty porcelain and provides appreciation of nearly 300 exquisite pieces.