What counts as an “antique” from China?
Most valuable Chinese antiques significantly predate 1949 (the year of the Cultural Revolution), and the most-valuable are many hundreds of years old. Many Chinese antiques are marked with a “chop”: a small seal or stamp with traditional characters that state the provenance of a piece of artwork or other antique. Some Chinese antiques can be confused with Taiwanese antiques or Japanese antiques.
17th or 18th Century Chinese bronze Buddha figure
What kinds of Chinese antiques are valuable?
The following categories tend to be most sought-after and the most valuable at auction:
- Pottery, especially porcelain and terracotta
- Carvings and sculptures, particularly of jade or bronze
- Paintings and calligraphy
- Jewelry, particularly when it includes jade
- Traditional garments, particularly those made of silk
- Antique furniture, particularly furniture made of mahogany, teak, or sought-after rosewoods
- Silver and bronze holloware
In general, antique Chinese porcelain and anything with jade is very valuable.
Valuable Chinese antiques are rare to find in estates, outside of private collections. They are most likely to surface when a large private collection goes to auction, or when a museum deaccessions certain pieces.
The newer a piece is, the less likely it is to be valuable. After 1890 the importing of Chinese art and antiques was levied and regulated, and after 1949 the export of Chinese wares was regulated by the People’s Republic. Typically, any piece of value has been in the US since the 19th century.
Contact Central Mass Auctions today
Longtime auctioneer Wayne Tuiskula can help you get maximum value at auction (live or online). We work with clients and handle estates across greater Boston and throughout Massachusetts and New England, and beyond. Email or call Central Mass Auctions today to discuss your Chinese antiques.
