Ceramic collection is more expensive than expensive

Porcelain has undeniably become one of the most rapidly appreciated categories in the art collection market in recent years. With some Yuan and blue-and-white ceramics fetching prices in the billions, the value of porcelain across all periods has skyrocketed. This surge has made porcelain collecting more competitive and exciting than ever before.

However, the biggest risk in collecting porcelain is spending a lot of money on fakes. Fortunately, ceramic tiles offer an accessible alternative that allows people to engage with ancient porcelain at little or no cost. By studying these tiles, collectors can develop a better understanding of the characteristics of historical porcelain, gradually improving their "eye" for authenticity and style.

On the current art market, tile collecting is generally divided into three main categories. The first focuses on glaze colors, with enthusiasts specializing in ancient glazed tiles from famous kilns such as Tangyue, Song dynasty Guan, Ge, Ding, Longquan, and Yaozhou. The second category involves collecting folk blue-and-white painted tiles from the Ming and Qing dynasties. These are often affordable, especially in rural areas of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, where digging through old ruins can yield many interesting pieces. As a result, this group of collectors is growing steadily. The third category centers around Jingdezhen kiln tiles from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, including blue-and-white wares, Yongle blue-and-white, Chenghua doucai, and even Qing dynasty official kiln debris. Special attention is given to tiles with official kiln marks, as even small fragments can be quite valuable due to their historical significance.

Beyond just the type of tile, there's also a growing trend of collecting based on decorative elements. The motifs and patterns found on ancient ceramics reflect the aesthetic values, cultural beliefs, and artistic styles of their time. For example, dragon patterns used in porcelain decoration vary greatly depending on the era—some appear powerful, others exhausted, and some display a more traditional or refined style. These variations not only help in identifying the period of a piece but also serve as valuable resources for understanding historical fashion, ethnic traditions, and artistic expressions.

When collecting porcelain tiles, it's important to remember that “quantity doesn't equal quality.” Having too many ordinary tiles is like holding onto junk, which offers little value. Additionally, it's crucial to remain cautious, as many counterfeiters now target the tile market, exploiting the belief that “if it’s broken, it must be old.” Many inexperienced collectors fall for this trick. Also, don’t expect dramatic price increases from most ancient tiles. Unless they are extremely rare, they are unlikely to see significant appreciation in value.