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Is My Chinese Pottery Worth Anything? Plus Upcoming Oriental Items in our November Fine Art Sale

Debbie Porter

Lot 1417 in our November Fine Art Sale is a pair of Chinese blue and white ginger jars. Beautifully decorated with Prunus flowers, they come with an sales estimate of £80.

The Potteries Auctions Fine Art Sale is back and is a great place to uncover rare, valuable, and beautiful pottery pieces, including Chinese and Oriental pottery.

Join us in our Silverdale showroom for our three-day Fine Art Sale as we reveal an array of stunning pottery pieces. Running from 11th-13th November 2021, this is a huge sale with over 1,500 pieces! During day three, we’ll be featuring lots of Oriental items including fantastic Chinese porcelain pieces such as a 19th-century Chinese blue and white baluster lidded jar.

This 19th-century Chinese porcelain blue and white jar with cover is set to sell for a very reasonable £60-£120.

Bidding can take place online or in person, but remember, you’ll need to make an appointment if you want to bid at our showroom or view an item. Viewing is taking place from Monday 8th, Tuesday 9th & Wednesday 10th November 2021, but you can view the online catalogue nowHead to page 142-143 on the online catalogue to go straight to the Chinese pottery section.

Lot 1414 is a Chinese Spinach Jade two-handled vase. The handles form into ornate dragon heads! This intriguing piece is estimated to sell for £150-£300.

What to look for when buying and selling Chinese pottery at auction

Chinese pottery has caught the imagination of many collectors and sellers alike over the years. Its distinctive style and nature make for stunning additions to any home. You might often hear it referred to as Chinese porcelain or ceramics. Its long history dates back thousands of years and is linked to various Chinese dynasties, such as Yuan, Ming, Tang and Qing.

It’s important to get an understanding of the different types of palettes and glazes used to create Chinese pottery. Depending on the part of the country the pottery was made, and the type of kiln used, you’ll notice differences in colours and finishes. For this reason, Chinese pottery is often categorised by era or type.

Be sure to look at the base of the piece and check for markings such as reign marks and symbols. Be wary though, as these could often be copied – that’s why a professional valuation is always important.

The most popular type of Chinese pottery is, of course, the instantly recognisable blue and white patterned pottery. The vivid blue is bright and seems to retain its colour, even after years of use or ware. It’s this pottery that you’ll find well-loved and in high demand.

This classic Chinese Famille rose vase and blue and white lidded jar are dated from the 19th century. The Chinese Famille rose collection is characterised by opaque overglaze rose colours. This lot has an estimate of £100-£200.

How do I know if my Chinese pottery is worth anything?

There are lots of ways to assess your pottery and this can help you identify if it’s rare, valuable, or antique:

  • Firstly, check the shape of the item to be clear about the piece you’re dealing with.
  • Then make note of the style, colour and decoration of the piece. Check the glaze to see if you can identify the type used.
  • Assess for marking on the item or damages. This includes signs of aging.
  • Finally, check the base of the piece to see if there are any markings.

Once you’ve got this information, you’ll have a clearer idea as to the details of your item and you’ll be able to talk to a valuer in detail.

One of the most important parts of the valuation process is also allowing yourself to like a piece. Do you want this in your home? Is it something you admire and something you’d like to look at? So often this is left out of the process, but if you like a piece, it can make it valuable to you.

Alternatively, Potteries Auctions can identify and provide valuations on a wide range of oriental and Chinese pieces. Please get in touch with us to discuss how we can help you or request a call back if you are looking for an expert evaluation and are seeking to sell your collection.

Did you know we can collect your pottery from anywhere in the UK? We also offer solutions for shipping too. We can pack and safely post your goods, perfect for transporting pieces that have been bought via our online auctions.