Collection: Art asiatique

Reading the Evidence

Reign marks on Chinese porcelain are the most misunderstood element in the field. Marks of earlier emperors, particularly Ming reign marks, were applied throughout later periods as expressions of respect and as references to admired models, and such pieces are described as apocryphal rather than fake. They can be entirely genuine antiques of their own period carrying somebody else's reign mark quite openly. Establishing date therefore rests on the body, the glaze, the foot rim, the potting, the palette and the character of the painting rather than on the mark, and a piece should always be read in that order. Japanese marks follow different conventions again, with maker, studio and export marks all appearing, and Meiji period export wares are often signed in ways that identify a workshop rather than an individual.

Material and technique carry the rest of the evidence. Jade should be assessed for the actual mineral, since nephrite, jadeite and a long list of substitutes including serpentine and glass are all sold under the name, and hardness, translucency and the character of the carving are what separate them. Lacquer is built from many thin layers over a timber or fabric core and its depth and surface are the mark of quality. Bronzes, cloisonné and enamels each have their own workshop traditions, and Meiji period metalwork in particular reached a technical standard that European foundries did not attempt. Condition conventions differ too, and a restored rim or a metal mount fitted centuries ago may be part of a piece's history rather than a defect. We describe attribution, period and condition as the evidence supports and say plainly where research is ongoing.

Caring for Your Piece

Lacquer is the most demanding material in this category and the one most often damaged by ordinary domestic conditions. It requires stable, moderate humidity, and dry air, including air conditioned air, causes the layers to crack and lift irreversibly. Keep lacquer out of direct sunlight, which fades and degrades the surface, dust it with a soft dry cloth only, and never use water, solvent or any polish on it.

Porcelain and ceramics follow the guidance on our porcelain collection page, with the same cautions about restoration, immersion and handling by the body rather than by handles and rims. Jade and hardstone carvings should be handled with clean dry hands, dusted rather than washed, and protected from knocks, since carved openwork is far more fragile than the material's hardness suggests. Bronzes and patinated metalwork should be dusted only and never polished. Textiles and works on paper, including scrolls and screens, are extremely light sensitive and should be displayed out of sunlight and rotated rather than left hanging permanently, and scrolls are best stored rolled in their boxes rather than kept on display year round.