Uncovering the authenticity of Ming Dynasty art treasures

• During the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty, Doucai porcelain became the pinnacle of Chinese ceramic history with its unique craftsmanship and exquisite decoration. Today, the Chenghua Doucai porcelain is not only regarded as a treasure of art, but also a hot topic in the collection world.
• However, with the progress of imitation technology, how to accurately identify the authenticity of the Chenghua Doucai porcelain, has become a collector and enthusiasts need to solve the problem.
• In this article, we will provide you with a detailed analysis of the Ming Chenghua Doucai porcelain identification methods to help you better identify this Ming art treasure.

  

• First, the historical background and artistic value of Chenghua Doucai porcelain
  Chenghua doucai porcelain was born in the Ming dynasty during the period of Chenghua (1465-1487), is the Jingdezhen imperial kiln factory specializing in porcelain fired for the court.
• It is characterized by the combination of underglaze blue and overglaze color painting, forming a brightly colored and richly layered artistic effect.
• Doucai porcelain decoration mostly flowers, figures, animals as the theme, the composition is exquisite, smooth lines, showing a very high artistic standard.
• Chenghua Doucai porcelain is highly respected not only for its exquisite craftsmanship, but also for its rarity.
• Due to the emperor of chenghua on porcelain firing requirements are extremely high, the rate of finished products is extremely low, the number of chenghua doucai porcelain handed down to date is rare, each piece is called a national treasure cultural relics.

  

Second, the characteristics of the Chenghua Doucai porcelain and identification points

To accurately identify the Chenghua Doucai porcelain, you need to start from a number of aspects, including the type, glaze, decoration, paragraph, etc.. The following are a few key identification points:

1. Ware type and texture
Chenghua Doucai porcelain is known for its small and exquisite ware type, common cups, bowls, plates, jars and so on. Tire is delicate and white, light in the hand, and the sound is crisp and pleasant when struck. Imitations are often rough, heavy and dull. 2.

2. glaze and color
Chenghua doucai porcelain glaze glistening jade, under the glaze blue hair color elegant, glaze color material bright but not blinding. Among them, the red color material to “Chenghua red” is the most famous, soft color, imitations are difficult to copy. Appraisal should pay attention to the transition of color material is natural, there is no trace of modern chemistry color material.

3. Decoration and painting style
Chenghua doucai porcelain decoration is mainly realistic, smooth lines, delicate strokes. Flower decoration is mostly entwined lotus, peony, etc., figure decoration is based on ladies, baby play. Imitations of the decoration is often stiff lines, lack of dynamic sense.

4. paragraph and foot
Chenghua doucai porcelain for the “Ming Chenghua years,” six double lines of regular script, the font neat, vigorous. Bottom foot treatment fine, exposed tire can be seen at the flint red. Imitations of the paragraph font is not standardized, foot processing rough.

Third, Chenghua doucai porcelain technology identification methods

With the development of science and technology, modern identification techniques for the Chenghua Doucai porcelain authentication provides more means. The following are several commonly used scientific and technological identification methods:

1. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy
Through X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis, the chemical composition of the porcelain can be detected to determine whether it is consistent with the characteristics of the Chenghua period. Chenghua Doucai porcelain tire glaze composition and imitations there are obvious differences.

2. Thermoluminescence dating
Thermoluminescence dating method can determine the age of porcelain firing, the error range of ± 50 years or so. For the Chenghua Doucai porcelain, this method can effectively rule out modern imitations.

3. Microscope observation
Through a high power microscope to observe the porcelain glaze, color material and tire, can be found in the Chenghua Doucai porcelain glaze has natural aging traces, color material has a sense of hierarchy, the tire is delicate.

Fourth, the Chenghua Doucai porcelain identification of common misconceptions
In the identification of Chenghua Doucai porcelain, some common misunderstandings need to pay attention to:

1. over-reliance on identification
Although identification is an important basis for identification, but can not rely solely on identification to determine the authenticity. Some high imitations of the paragraph has been very close to the real thing, need to be combined with other characteristics of the comprehensive judgment. 2.

2. Ignore the overall style of porcelain
Chenghua doucai porcelain overall style is unique, imitations are often exposed in a detail. Identification needs to be from the type, glaze, decoration and other aspects of comprehensive consideration. 3.

3. Ignore the use of porcelain traces
Chenghua Doucai porcelain for the court, better preserved, but some of the heirlooms will have natural wear and tear traces. Imitations are often overly old, traces of unnatural.

Five, the market status of chenghua doucai porcelain and collection suggestions

Chenghua doucai porcelain in the auction market has repeatedly hit new highs, in 2014 a Chenghua doucai chicken bowl cup sold at a price of 280 million Hong Kong dollars, a new auction record of Chinese porcelain. However, the market is flooded with imitations, collectors need to be cautious. It is recommended that collectors seek the identification of professional organizations before purchase, and choose reputable auction houses or antique dealers.

In addition, the collection of Chenghua Doucai porcelain not only requires financial resources, but also requires profound professional knowledge. It is recommended that collectors read more