How to buy Chinese ceramics online

Buying antique Chinese ceramics online can feel risky, but with the right checks it is how most collectors buy today. This guide walks through what to look for: authenticity, condition, provenance, and the seller, before you pay.

Authenticity first

The first question is always whether the piece is old. Look for signs of age that are hard to fake: a soft, worn foot ring, glaze that has settled into the body over centuries, and the small firing flaws that come from a wood-fired kiln. Be wary of pieces that look too perfect, and of prices that seem too good to be true. A dealer who has handled the piece, describes it in full, and guarantees it without time limit is worth more than a bargain.

Reading condition

Every old ceramic has some wear, and honest sellers say so. Learn the vocabulary: fritting is tiny chipping at the rim, a hairline is a fine crack, a firing flaw happened in the kiln and is part of the piece. Ask for a full condition report and for photographs of the base, the rim and any damage. Our listings describe every flaw we know of, and we will send more photographs on request.

Provenance

Provenance is the history of who owned the piece: an auction record, a dealer's label, a collection name. It supports both authenticity and value, and it matters for the law: the United States restricts the import of certain archaeological objects from China, so we keep the documents showing our pieces were outside China before those restrictions. Ask any seller for provenance, and be cautious when there is none at all.

Choosing a seller

Buy from a dealer who is a collector themselves, who answers questions, and who offers a clear return policy and a guarantee. We are a collector-run business in New York: every piece is guaranteed as described without time limit, shipping is fully insured, and you may return any piece within 14 days. Start with a piece you love at a price you are comfortable with. Our collection begins at $400.