Finely worked for display |
Due
to traditional and cultural differences this can be said of few other
items. certain ceramic items are clearly more preferred by collectors in
the west than by those in China. On the other hand, items that the Chinese
consider important may not receive the same attention in western
countries.
Antique plates, dishes and chargers, for example, find a much greater
interest in the west than in China itself. These plates are put in
cabinets or on shelves, displayed on stands or hung on the wall with specially devised
hangers. Traditionally these were not considered for display in China.
For a Chinese it was almost unthinkable to use a plate for decoration.
Plates were purely utilitarian and not for decoration! Although antique
plates and dishes are now collected too, this is mostly due to western
collecting trends.
Apart from the decorative vases typical Chinese items like teapots,
writing paraphernalia like brush washers, water droppers, etc., that
specifically are a part of Chinese culture are more appreciated. These
find less interest in the west, however.
Those who collect such items today in the west often have a general
interest in anything related to Chinese culture, not only antique
porcelain.
Decoration Of Timeless Beauty
Vases were made in China in all sizes, but the smaller ones are
generally much smaller than any European vase. Some easily can fit into a
pocket. One can only wonder why these tiny things were made so small?
Nevertheless, many still have been finely decorated and are now popular
as vitrine objects.