A reader asks “I bought this antique Chinese cabinet – I am wondering if you can tell me about its age, origin and possible value.” We break it down for them.
The specialists guide to:
Faux and distressed finishes: A “start to finish” look at creating a hand-rubbed black lacquer finish.
I find the processes used in the workshop fascinating, and though others might enjoy it if I share some of them here. Today we look at the steps taken from start to finish to create one type of finish: a slightly distressed thick black lacquer finish with hand rubbed edges. In this example case, the […]
Detecting Fake Chinese Antique Porcelain & Ceramics
A detailed look at some fake Chinese porcelain along with discussion on how to identify fakes including wear and tear, coloration and reign marks.
The ultimate comprehensive english/Chinese dictionary of chinese furniture vocabulary and terms
I have seen this list floating around on the internet (though I have no idea where it originally came from). Though some terms are region-specific, its nevertheless very comprehensive with over 450 different terms. Chinese Pinyin English 朵云双螭纹 duǒ yún shuāng chī wén Cloud surrounded by confronting dragons motif. In order to make it a […]
A to Z: Restoring chinese wood carvings, wooden screens and carved architectural elements.
When a Chinese traditional homes is demolished to make way for the new, elements like antique window screens, carved panels & screens and other architectural elements are typically salvaged to be reborn as decorative items in modern homes. Thinking about adding such a piece of history to your collection? Here’s a quick look at the […]
The Brutal Guide to buying Chinese Antiques on eBay
A practical nothing held back guide to purchasing “so called authentic Chinese antiques” on ebay. Read first – Don’t get ripped off.