Ceramics has a history of development for hundreds of years, following the length of the country's history. Thus appeared the concept of ancient ceramics, how to recognize ancient ceramics? most people are interested in. Because these are products produced since ancient times, with great historical value. At the same time, they have unique sizes, textures and shapes as there is usually only one product of each type. Therefore, antique ceramics are often hunted by people in the world of antique players. The value of ancient ceramic products depends on the age of production. The older the item, the more valuable it is. Together Store Long Phuong find out how to identify the most accurate ancient ceramics for professionals and amateurs!
1. How ancient is ceramics?
Ceramics Ancient dating back hundreds, thousands of years ago. Each type has its own unique shape and pattern and almost each product has only one. “Ancient” products should have a time value. In the excavation process to discover ancient ceramic products, the pattern may be faded, the shape is deformed. And it takes talented artisans to restore its truest beauty.
Ancient ceramics are products made from clay materials, fired in a furnace and decorated to perfection. Ceramic process depending on the materials and processing techniques, the firing method will create different types of ceramics. Some types of brown crockery, porous crockery, household porcelain manufacturer, terracotta ... are the types of ceramics that are currently in vogue. These ceramics differ only in the firing temperature. Raw materials are already formed differentiated products.
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2. Suggestions on how to recognize ancient ceramics from experts
2.1. How to identify ancient ceramics through rust spots?
The raw material for making ceramics is completely clay, so clay contains a lot of minerals and small impurities, including iron particles. So over time the iron particles will be oxidized to form rust layers on the surface of the product.
Therefore, rust is the most recognizable sign of antiques. Experts often observe these rust spots to assess the age of a product. However, the value of ancient ceramic products was high, so gradually these rust spots were counterfeited. But it also cannot be perfect in the eyes of professional collectors.
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2.2. How to recognize ancient ceramics through slip glaze
The glaze layer is slipped or blurred because according to the ceramic process, the step before finishing the product will be coated with a layer of enamel to create a smooth and glossy surface. Over thousands of years, the glaze on this surface is gradually worn out, after being rubbed, the product is no longer shiny and even slightly translucent. Many products are slightly rough to the touch, but no longer have a glossy, smooth glaze like new ceramics.
In addition to the loss of the glaze layer due to time factors, cracks on ceramic products can be formed due to the sudden temperature change in the glaze stage of the firing process. Because the cold outside air travels faster than the surface of the product, this change forms small cracks on the surface, commonly known as fissures or fissures.
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2.3. How to identify ancient ceramics through cracks
Cracks on ancient pottery appear due to the sudden change in temperature during the final firing stage. These small cracks are called stretch marks or stretch marks. Some ancient ceramics are partially damaged, some are completely damaged.
2.4. How to distinguish ancient ceramics through glaze shrinkage?
Enamel water shrinkage on antique ceramic products occurs when the oil layer underneath the glaze interferes with the process of covering the entire product. Therefore, the places where the enamel layer cannot cover will create indentations, called glaze shrinkage. This appears on the surface of ceramic products, these dents are very unsightly, causing deformation of the product shape.
This phenomenon of shrinkage of enamel often occurs on lines ancient pottery China, especially on commercial ceramic products. High-class royal ceramics rarely see this image.
2.5. How to distinguish thanks to the level of impurities
In the past, when the environment for preserving and producing ceramics was not guaranteed, leakage was a fairly common error. In a production environment with many impurities, ash and dust fly onto the ceramic surface during the firing process, creating imperfect products.
2.6. How to distinguish through the phenomenon of clams
The antique ceramic products discovered from the deep sea often have this phenomenon of scallops. The time these products are in the deep sea leads to marine organisms clinging to the surface of the product. When finding the product, it is also quite easy to remove this clinging layer from the ceramic surface.
2.7. Identify ceramics through the deterioration of glaze
Porcelain-patterned ceramic products are often covered with a layer of glaze to avoid being directly affected by high temperatures when fired. Usually after a period of use, this enamel layer will fall off and erode away. Ancient ceramic objects often have an outer layer of enamel that has washed away and worn out over the years.
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3. The method of identifying ancient ceramics cannot be ignored
3.1. Through experience in ceramics
There are a number of techniques that collectors or professionals need to know when identifying antiques. Often it will be based on experience or practice to master these techniques.
3.2. Based on color
In the early days of the production of blue-white glaze ceramics appeared Mohamadan blue. This blue has a dark sheen and most of the products produced during this period were decorated in dark green. Later, the Chinese figured out how to make their own blue dye, which has a brighter luster. Therefore, the textures on the products of this period were lighter and also more varied in the degree of lightness on decorative motifs.
3.3. Based on decorative motifs
In different ages, there will be different common motifs. The different shapes are due to the different aesthetic eyes of the craftsman in each period.
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3.4. Through science
To distinguish antique pottery is based on collectors, professional experts self-identify antique ceramics. There are technologies for identifying ancient pottery but are not widely used. A major reason is the high cost.
How to identify ancient ceramics through photothermal technology
Identification of ancient ceramics through thermo-optical technology. The weakness of this method is that a large amount of material must be separated. This method has only recently been caught up by experts. They can fake the age of antiques using hospital x-ray machines to trick collectors.
Spectral analysis method
Spectral analysis is another technique for experts to identify antiques. However, antique counterfeiters know how to deceive by putting fake identification marks on antique fakes.
4. Video on how to recognize valuable ancient ceramics
5. Factors that help ancient ceramics have high value
5.1. Styles
Just like ordinary pottery, the more ancient ceramics have unique designs and structures, the more valuable they are.
5.2. Outer shell
The outer shell of ancient ceramics includes: glaze, color, pattern, carving... of ancient ceramics. Along with the unique shape, the more intricately carved or decorated ancient ceramics, showing the quintessence of the time of creation, the more sophisticated they will be.
5.3. Completeness
Compared with chipped or broken ceramic products. Then the intact products will have a higher value.
5.4. Age
For antique ceramics, time is a decisive factor in the value of that item. The older it is, the more precious it will be.
Identifying ancient ceramics is not easy but not too difficult either. Hopefully this article on Long Phuong Porcelain can help you distinguish ancient, highly valuable ceramics. Long Phuong Porcelain – a high-end household porcelain brand. Specializing in manufacturing high quality porcelain products with the market's leading firing temperature of 1380 degrees Celsius and bright white glaze. If you want to buy the product, please contact us with the information below.
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CEO of Long Phuong Group Joint Stock Company, with more than 20 years of exploration and research to obtain the best formulas and professional experience, Long Phuong Porcelain has produced more than 400 designs of all kinds of household porcelain, Significant contributions to Vietnam's ceramic industry.