Chinese porcelain is one of the most forged categories in the antique world. Not because it's easy to reproduce, but because demand is enormous and buyer knowledge is often limited. Even experienced collectors make mistakes. These are the most common — and costly.
Mistake 1: Trusting the reign mark alone
The mark on the bottom of a piece of Chinese porcelain is not proof of authenticity. It's a clue — nothing more. Chinese porcelain studios have for centuries used reign marks from earlier, respected periods as a mark of homage.
A Yongzheng mark doesn't mean it dates from the Yongzheng period (1722–1735). It could be 19th-century, 20th-century, or contemporary. The mark is the beginning of the investigation, not the end.
Mistake 2: Relying on the colour of the blue
Cobalt blue is the most copied characteristic of old Chinese porcelain. The colour, depth, and 'heaping and piling' of old cobalt are indeed distinctive — but only to someone who has seen and held hundreds of genuine pieces.
In a photograph, the distinction is nearly impossible. In person, with experience, it's more reliable — but still not conclusive as a sole argument.
Mistake 3: Overpaying without documentation
Famille verte and famille rose are heavily reproduced, in the 19th as well as the 20th and 21st centuries. Beautiful famille rose dishes are produced in Jingdezhen with a quality that deceives even trained eyes.
Without provenance — a demonstrable ownership history — any piece in these categories above €500 is a risky purchase without expert consultation.
Mistake 4: Failing to detect restoration
Well-restored pieces are sometimes invisibly repaired under normal lighting. Under ultraviolet light, restorations become visible — modern epoxy fluoresces differently than old glaze.
A UV lamp costs €15 to €30 and is the best investment for any porcelain buyer. Always use one for pieces above €200.
Mistake 5: Confusing export with imperial porcelain
Most Chinese porcelain circulating in Europe is export porcelain — made for the European market, not for the Chinese emperor or elite. It's interesting and sometimes valuable, but it's a different category entirely.
Imperial porcelain with proven court provenance is rare, expensive, and barely circulates outside major auction houses. If someone offers you 'imperial porcelain' at a flea market or for a modest price, it isn't.
Mistake 6: Misinterpreting auction results
One exceptional auction result does not make a market price. Look at multiple comparable pieces over multiple years. And remember: auction results are hammer prices including buyer's premium — the net proceeds for the seller are lower.