Vases from Jingdezhen

Collectors all over the world know that antiques from Jingdezhen, especially vases made during the early Ming and Qing dynasties, are very pricey and these items frequently command a high price in major auctions in New York, London and now in Beijing.

Some of these vases can still be found in the early days in antique shops here in Singapore. Unfortunately, they have all disappeared overnight, thanks to the treasure hunters from Taiwan, Hong Kong and maybe China who have the knowhow and expertise to be able to spot treasures among trash. One collector from Taiwan even remarked that after a sumptuous meal of hot spicy curry fish head, she was still able to find one genuine Qian Long Vase lying un-noticed on the shelf of an antique shop. Eventually she got it for a song (as the owner thought that it was a fake). The vase could have ended up in an auction house and the lady was most probably laughing all the way to the bank thanking the naive Singaporean for such an unbelievable discovery. What was even more interesting was that the owner of the shop was very happy to dispose off a fake in his shop.

 Now even the vases from the later part of the Qing dynasty have become sought after items frequently featured in auction houses and bidding prices of millions of dollars are not uncommon. Collectors who set their eyes on these vases (while others are busily hunting vases from the early Qing era) have reaped a huge profit.

Some of the Jigngdezhen ware in my collection, although they are not that valuable, they are still nice things to possess and enjoy in one's lifetime. Surely they have enriched my life. Surely these are the things that will free you from stresses from overwork in this life.


Painted by renown artist

A blue vase

One of eight immortals