Asian Art Guides & Articles
Top 5 Most Expensive Chinese Scroll Paintings at Auction
Chinese scrolls paintings, and especially exceptional historic examples with impeccable provenance, generate significant interest within the international collectors’ market when they appear at auction. Chinese hand scrolls and wall scrolls are prized for their exquisite […]
Five Most Expensive Chinese Bronze Objects at Auction
Chinese bronze and especially exceptional examples with impeccable provenance generate significant interest within the market. Chinese bronze items are prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and historical significance, and the right provenance can drive prices into […]
Top 5 Most Expensive Japanese Netsuke at Auction
Japanese netsuke, although small, can command the attention of buyers and achieve record-setting prices globally. Netsuke are prized for their exquisite craftsmanship and historical significance with prices able to reach seven figures for the perfect […]
The 5 Most Expensive Chinese Jades Ever Sold at Auction
Chinese jade and especially exceptional imperial pieces have repeatedly shattered auction records to achieve record setting prices globally. Chinese jade items are prized for their exquisite craftsmanship, historical significance, and the imperial provenance adds additional […]
The 5 Most Expensive Chinese Porcelain Vessels Sold at Auction
Chinese imperial porcelains have repeatedly shattered auction records to achieve record setting prices globally. Chinese porcelains are prized for their exquisite craftsmanship, historical significance, and the imperial provenance adds additional appeal to collectors, driving prices […]
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Chinese Scrolls
Chinese scrolls aren’t just paintings, they’re puzzles. Unroll one and you might find imperial seals, centuries-old poetry, or even the brushwork of an artist painting with the wrong hand. Some were made to be passed […]
Why Older Doesn’t Always Mean More Valuable For Chinese Porcelain
When it comes to antiques, many people assume that the older an item is, the more valuable it must be. That idea holds true in some cases, but not always. In the world of Chinese […]
The Emperor’s Colour: Yellow in Chinese Porcelain
In the magnificent history of Chinese porcelain, no colour speaks more eloquently of power and prestige than yellow. At its pinnacle stood the imperial yellow glaze – a luminous, egg-yolk shade that was the emperor’s […]
The Language of Flora: Botanical Symbolism in Chinese Porcelain
The botanical world holds profound symbolic significance in Chinese art, with each plant and flower carrying layers of cultural meaning that transform porcelain decoration into sophisticated visual poetry. These natural motifs speak of human aspirations, […]
Sacred Beasts and Fortune Bearers: The Animal Symbolism of Chinese Porcelain
The rich bestiary of Chinese porcelain decoration reveals a sophisticated symbolic language where real and mythical creatures intertwine to create powerful statements about authority, fortune, and cosmic harmony. These animal motifs, developed over centuries of […]
The Eight Treasures: Ancient Symbols of Fortune in Chinese Porcelain
In the intricate world of Chinese decorative arts, few motifs capture the essence of traditional aspirations quite like the Eight Treasures (Babao 八宝). These emblems, deeply woven into the fabric of Chinese material culture, represent […]
Understanding Sacred Symbolism: The Eight Auspicious Symbols in Chinese Porcelain
The rich tapestry of Chinese porcelain decoration reveals a profound connection between art and spirituality, most notably in the Eight Auspicious Symbols (Bajixiang 八吉祥). These sacred Buddhist motifs emerged during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), representing […]
Decoding the Language of Chinese Porcelain: A Guide to Traditional Symbols
For centuries, Chinese porcelain has served as more than just functional pottery – it has been a canvas for an intricate language of symbols that speak of hopes, beliefs, and cultural values. Each motif carefully […]
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Kangxi Porcelain
The Kangxi period (1662-1722) represents one of the most celebrated golden ages in Chinese porcelain production. Under the watchful eye of China’s longest-reigning emperor, the imperial kilns at Jingdezhen achieved unprecedented levels of technical and […]
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Chinese Porcelain
Chinese porcelain stands as one of humanity’s greatest artistic and technological achievements. For centuries, these remarkable pieces have captivated collectors, historians, and art enthusiasts worldwide. Yet despite its enduring fame, many fascinating aspects of Chinese […]