The last three hundred years of dynastic China saw a great exchange of culture. Styles and trends followed trade and extended contact.
Often with the very wealthy and early adopters of both sides of the exchange becoming completely transfixed by the arts of the other. Snuff bottles were produced using almost every possible material of the Qing Dynasty.
Arguably the finest porcelain and bronzes ever produced were made in China. With shapes, marks and techniques being dutifully reproduced over the last 2000 years.
Mr.Waterhouse is experienced with objects produced at every stage of this famed 2000 year history. Specializing in 18th-20th century Chinese porcelain, Robert is able to identify the mass produced from the masterpiece.
Correct identification can only be made with decades of experience and the experience of 10,000s of objects passing through a single set of skilled […]
Frankly the most difficult area of current scholarship. Asia’s history of honorary reproduction and the commonplace “student coping master” relationship has resulted in a difficult collecting landscape.
However, authenticity and attribution can be made with object history, knowledge and collaboration.
Interestingly age does not necessarily guarantee high value when appraising Asian Painting and works on paper. It’s commonplace for a mid-20th century Chinese or South East-Asian painting to be of more value than a 17th century Korean portrait. Value is determined […]
Consisting of both the functional and fantastical, objects of stone, wood, porcelain and other precious materials were crafted to adorn desks and inspire abstraction while at study.
Made for the “official” (those passing the civil service exam) and “literati” (wealthy) class that ruled Asia for over two millennia.
The scholars enjoyment, of placing a inked brush into a pot of intensely rare wood, carved in painstaking detail, mounted in a perfectly turned rim and base of a highly valuable precious material […]
Stones of precious and celestial importance have been culturally significant in China for several millennium.
Ranging in color, composition and translucency, hardstones of importance maybe of a ceremonial purpose (ceremonial ax blades) or of a simply utilitarian purpose ( snuff bottles and garment belts).
Stones of agate, carnelian, Lapis and other semi-precious stones have been used in China for centuries. Semi-precious stones are often carved to incorporate naturally accruing Imperfections, producing wonderful silhouettes and cameos.
Identifying country of origin, age and quality […]
The simplicity of Classical Chinese Furniture has drawn admires from both the East and West for centuries.
Value and rarity often depends upon wood variety, age and construction, Mr Waterhouse is skilled in identifying the exceptional from the provincial. The difference often only being a sublet characteristic in wood grain or carving.
Classical Chinese furniture is often constructed from three varieties of tropical hardwood
( huanghuali, zitan and hongmu) or of less desirable domestic softwoods.
The wood used is often the first consideration […]