Chinese Paintings & Calligraphy
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 by market forces and desirability- not age alone.
Many American and overseas visitors to China and the East acquired what today are valuable and highly sort after painting.
Americans have always held an affinity for Asian paintings with many great collections amassed before the Second World War.
Today many of the fine paintings Mr. Waterhouse views today were acquired in Taiwan during the 1950-80s. Including prolific but valued artist such as Huang Junbi & Liu Kuo Sung.
