|
How can I avoid buying fakes in the market?
This is a simple question, but with a complex answer, depending on the piece you purchase. For wooden pieces, there are universities such as the University of Toronto and laboratories who provide Carbon 14 testing. For bronze, London University provides the test. There are different techniques to determine authenticity of jade, stone, and glass. For pottery pieces, Oxford University provided an authenticity certificate based on Thermoluminescence Test. This test is quite accurate in dating within a few hundred years of its creation. Doreen Stoneham, a well-known expert in Chinese antiquities based in London, provides this test through the company she founded, Oxford Authentication, Ltd. She has more than 28 years experience and surveyed more than 30,000 pieces. Her assistant, Phyllis Hsia, takes samples from pieces in Hong Kong and sends them directly to London for testing. Sotheby's and Christie's auction houses use her reports.This ability to "eye" a piece in evaluating its authenticity and value can only be acquired through experience that comes by having looked at hundreds of pieces. To see, to touch authentic pieces (visiting museums, galleries) and reading books also help you have a better understanding of the history and culture behind, and ignite your sense of art. The role of the antique consultant is very important as they guide you in a right direction, provide you information on the history and culture behind and often allow you to avoid paying the extra expense of the Oxford test. Always find a dealer who is knowledgeable, professional, has an established reputation and who has been in the business for a long time. Still, if you are in doubt about a piece, ask the dealers if their galleries provide Oxford certification and if this deal will bear the cost of the test if the results are negative.
Standard of Condition
The following description and standard is used to describe the condition of a piece
With ( - ) indicates less than a certain %, (+ ) more than a certain %
| |
Description |
Perfect (AAA) |
Very good (AA) |
Good (A) |
Fair (B) |
Damaged (D) |
|
Porcelain
|
Scratching |
No |
-1% |
-2% |
-5% |
+5% |
|
Chips |
No |
No |
-1% |
-3% |
+3% |
|
Manufacturing Defect |
No |
-0.5% |
-1% |
-2% |
+2% |
|
Broken |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Yes |
|
Pottery
|
Scratching |
-5% |
-8% |
-10% |
15% |
+15% |
|
Chips |
-3% |
-5% |
-8% |
-10% |
+10% |
|
Manufacturing Defect |
-3% |
-5% |
-8% |
-10% |
+10% |
|
Broken |
-3% on minor parts |
-5% on minor parts |
-8% on minor parts |
-5% of major parts |
+5% of major parts |
|
Bronze
|
Scratching |
No |
-3% |
-8% |
-15% |
+15% |
|
Chips |
No |
-1% |
-3% |
-5% |
+5% |
|
Manufacturing Defect |
-1% |
-2% |
-4% |
-8% |
+8% |
|
Broken |
No |
-1% on minor parts |
-3% on minor parts |
-10% on minor parts |
+10% on major parts |
|
Wooden/Stucco |
Scratching |
-3% |
-5% |
-10% |
-15% |
+15% |
|
Chips |
-3% |
-5% |
-8% |
-15% |
+15% |
|
Manufacturing Defect |
-3% |
-5% |
-8% |
-10% |
+10% |
|
Broken |
-3% on minor parts |
-5% on minor parts |
-8% on minor parts |
-10% on minor parts |
+ 10% on major parts |
How do I start my collection?
First, choose a piece that you like, as it will be in your collection for a long while. You need to decide what kind of piece you would like. Which dynasty do you like? Do you want a vase, a figure, an animal, or a stone carving? How much do you want to spend? In Hollywood Road, you can start your budget from US$100 to what you can afford. A Han piece might be simpler in style, while a Tang or Ming piece might be more sophisticated in detail and glazing. Still, each piece varies in quality within a dynasty. The beauty and craftmanship of a piece should bring you happiness. A reputable antique consultant can give you advice on the craftmanship of a piece and guide you according to your own aesthetic taste and budget. If you still are not certain as to what you want, we recommend reading a catalogue of a major auction house such as Sotheby's or Christie's, or a good book on Chinese art. Second, the piece must be authentic. The reputation of the dealer is important. Ask if the gallery provides a certificate from Oxford Authentication Ltd., which is used by Christie's and Sotheby's. This certificate will enhance the resale value of your piece. We want to emphasize that the dealer should be willing to bear the costs of testing if the Oxford test is negative. (Refer to the following section on authenticity.) The third criterion is quality. Quality is the key to any purchase of any antique. In Hong Kong today, one can see and purchase the highest quality of Chinese antiquities anywhere in the world. A reputable antique consultant should be ready to tell you if the piece has been restored and point out where this restoration has taken place. Also, the dealer should be willing to compare the quality of pieces that have appeared recently in major auction house catalogues. Origins, condition, craftmanship, detail, and the uniqueness of the piece will determine quality.
What determines the value and price of a piece and how can I get the best bargain in Hong Kong?
The value of a piece is determined by aesthetic beauty, craftmanship, condition, supply and demand. Pieces made for an emperor usually reflect the highest quality of craftmanship. Accordingly, pieces made for imperial officials and wealthy merchants will have lower value. Yet, even this can vary, depending on the time the piece was produced. Items produced for one emperor might be less valuable than pieces produced for another emperor; a strong noble piece might be more valuable than a piece from a weak king. Thus, the historical background of the piece plays an important role to its value. Aesthetic attraction, craftsmanship and uniqueness will be reflected in the price of an item. Nonetheless, prices vary considerably over time, depending on supply and demand. For example, new discoveries of a Han tomb will add to the supply of artifacts from this period, thereby reducing the price of items from this dynasty; and officers has more value than soldiers as they are more rare. Demand also determines prices. Obviously, if more people want pieces from a certain period, this demand will drive up the prices. Art works from the Tang dynasty might be more in demand than those from the Han period. This same rule applies within a dynasty. Collectors will consider piece produced in the reign of one emperor more valuable than items produced in the reign of another emperor, depending on the historical importance of the emperor. Even within a specific reign, certain items will be considered more valuable. Thus, the demand for Tang "Fat" lady figures might be more than an equivalent Tang male figure, thereby rising the price. Sometimes, collectors or antique dealers' interest in certain kind of pieces also jet up the price. The price of tomb pieces was higher than those of the Ming, Ching imperial period and marked ceramics 50 years ago. Furthermore, the place where you buy the piece is so important in affecting the price. Hong Kong is the only city in China you can buy and ship Chinese antique to your country legally. The British law is still applied to the "one country two systems" . All different kinds of Chinese antiques are shipped to Hollywood Road in Hong Kong for resell. This makes Hollywood Road being elected as one of the top ten shopping streets in the world. All the tourists, dealers, collectors, museum curators from US, Europe and other countries come here to do their sourcing everyday. Overseas collectors have to bear the cost in terms of dealers' travelling expense, salary, shipping cost, insurance, overhead, rental expense, advertising, commission, consultant fee etc. Generally, there is a price difference from 3 to 7 times more than what you pay in Hong Kong. Most of the dealers selling authentic Chinese antique in Hollywood Road use the low margin and high turnover policy. That is why you can absolutely get the best bargain in Hong Kong. However, there are still a lot of dishonest shops who sell reproductions as genuine items.
What should I collect from each dynasty?
The long history of China, one of the oldest countries in the world, has revolved around dynasties, under the reign of different imperial families. Some of these dynasties lasted hundreds of years, while some only a generation or two. "History and Culture" this web site provides a brief historical background to the dynastic culture. You will also have a better idea on what you can collect after you have looked at the representative illustrations from the guidebook "Collecting Chinese Antiquities in Hong Kong". Art works produced in each dynasty is usually quite distinctive. It won't take long before you can be able to identify a Neolithic pot, a Han horse, a Tang "Fat Lady, or a Ming vase. One can learn a lot from many excellent books on Chinese art. Studying catalogues from the auction houses will also help accumulating your knowledge. However, the best way to learn is to visit the museums and galleries in Hong Kong and to look at the pieces yourself.
Is it legal to take an antique out of Hong Kong?
The "One Country, two systems" and the "50 years unchanged promise" made by the People's Republic of China to the Hong Kong people allow you to take authentic Chinese antiques out of Hong Kong legally and tax free. It is illegal to ship any antique of more than 50 years old out of mainland China. Thus, Hong Kong is the only city in China where you can purchase an artifact of more than fifty years of age and ship it home legally. Remember to get an official receipt from the gallery that states the period of the piece, the cost, and the date when it was purchased in Hong Kong.
How can I ship the piece home without it being broken?
(shipping information)
|