Ming & Qing Porcelain Written By Song Haiyang

This volume by Song Haiyang, titled “Mingdai Ciqi” (Ming Dynasty Porcelain), is an essential resource for collectors and scholars specializing in the refined aesthetics of the Ming era. Published as part of a series focused on the investment and appreciation of Chinese art, the book bridges the gap between academic research and market practicalities.

Song Haiyang, a researcher from the Palace Museum in Beijing, utilizes his access to the imperial collections to provide a definitive look at the development of porcelain from the 14th to the 17th centuries.

Whilst the text is in Chinese, the visual cataloging of marks and glaze quality makes it an invaluable reference tool for anyone handling physical artifacts. It is particularly useful for those looking to verify the stylistic accuracy of pieces against known imperial standards held in the Palace Museum collection.

This is a 194 page illustrated guide that focuses on the connoisseurship of Ming dynasty porcelain. It includes detailed notes on objects that have appeared in international auctions, specifically tailored for those looking to evaluate the investment potential of specific pieces.

• Connoisseurship: The book focuses heavily on identifying authentic pieces from the early Ming (Hongwu and Yongle) through to the late Ming (Wanli) periods.
• Aesthetic Evolution: It traces the shift from the bold, thick-potted cobalt blues of the Yuan transition to the delicate, eggshell-thin porcelains of the Chenghua reign.
• Techniques and Pigments: You will find detailed discussions on the use of imported “Su-ni-po” (Sumatran) cobalt, which created the characteristic “heaping and piling” effect on early blue and white wares.
• Market Context: Uniquely, the book includes data and analysis of pieces that have appeared in major international auction houses, helping the reader understand how rarity and condition translate into modern valuations.

The book is prized for its high-quality color plates, which are vital for studying:

• Glaze Characteristics: Capturing the “orange peel” texture and the specific luster of Ming glazes.
• Reign Marks: Providing clear photographic examples of imperial marks (nianhao) to help distinguish genuine marks from later apocryphal copies.
• Form and Proportion: Highlighting the specific silhouettes of classic Ming shapes like the Meiping (plum vase) and the Yuhuchunping (pear-shaped vase).
• Published: Beijing, 2005 (Zhongguo Yishupin Touzi yu Jianbao Congshu series)
• Format: Soft Cover – 194 pages – Height: 26cm x Width: 18.5cm x Thickness: 1.5cm
• Condition: Cover shows slight wear on top and bottom edges otherwise pages are all clean and bright