Asian Art Websites II: Jades and other hardstones

Friday, September 25, 2009 Posted by Daphne Rosenzweig
Jades and other hardstones.

Such a difficult field! So many websites, so much confusing information! Buyer beware, appraiser be warned! That's the field of Chinese jades.

Is the hardstone work you are appraising in fact fashioned from "jade" and what does that term mean in the West, as opposed to how it might be used in Chinese dealer showrooms, and in your client's mind? What is its age, and is any apparent aging naturally acquired or artificially induced? How much do color, provenance and condition affect the value? These and so many other factors have to be considered in valuing a Chinese jade or hardstone carving.

The list below is intended to help appraisers find website sources for "comps" for works they have been asked to value, whether the works appear to be important or routine (and of course that is up to the appraiser to determine, not the website!). Unfortunately, most of the sites do not give prices and the appraiser must contact the company to discover the selling price of what appears to be a good comparable. The sites also vary in terms of the quality of their offerings and accuracy of their descriptions. An infinite number of sites offer jade carvings and jewelry, and this list is not inclusive. It is simply intended to provide suggestions for various levels of "comps" to aid in due diligence when appraising a Chinese jade or hardstone.

www.keverne.co.uk an outstanding site for archaic and later jades and other hardstones, with excellent descriptions; well-known London-based dealer

www.knaptonandrasti.com a wide selection of Song through 18th century jades, with fine photos including reverse views when important

(To Read the Rest of the article click the Read More Link below)

www.bernsteinjadeart.com high-end San Francisco company, exhibiting jades of various periods, including some modern signed works and Westerners working with jade materials

www.antiquejades.com small pieces, in archaic and archaizing modes; there is also a chronology of jade carving

www.thejadedragon.net site divided into nephrite, jadeite and hardstones

www.masonkayshowroom.com well-known jadeite specialists, dealing in contemporary high-end jadeite jewelry; site with excellent color photographs and a very good FAQ section. Site divided into "trade only" and "general access"

www.jademine.com contemporary BC nephrite jewelry, carvings and rough

www.chinesejade.com contemporary jewelry, some carvings, sales prices given

www.jademarket.com contemporary jewelry, some statues, sales prices given

www.wonderfulstones.com jewelry, horses, many animals, in diverse hardstones; prices in Euros

www.maplem.com modern jade carving factory, with diverse stone carvings

www.artfiberglass.com you want contemporary carving on a grand scale? Those multi-masted sailing ships, those galloping horses? This is the site for you. When the home page comes on click onto "stone art sculpture carvings".

www.billegleston.com an excellent source for contemporary Chinese crafts from Hong Kong and the mainland (China). Sections on jade sculptures, pendants, archaizing jades, bowenite and other hardstone carvings. Prices given. Egleston also has a monthly color-illustrated flyer with the latest offerings: 12 issues, $15.00. Worth every penny!

Daphne Lange Rosenzweig, Ph.D, ISA CAPP
rosetwig@aol.com
You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.

2 Response to "Asian Art Websites II: Jades and other hardstones"

  1. Todd W. Sigety, ISA CAPP Said,

    What a great resource of websites and information on jade. Dr. Rosenzweig is a prolific writer, educator and expert in Asian Art and Archaeology. For more on appraising jade see the 2008 edition of the Journal of Advanced Appraisal Studies for Dr. Rosenzeig's article Jade/Not Jade: The Art of Appraising Chinese Jade Carvings. A must read for any appraisers looking at jade.

    Posted on September 25, 2009 at 11:11 PM

     
  2. Anonymous Said,

    Do not buy from jademarket.com.
    You put an order in, and it takes your Paypal money. You do not hear anything from them. They ignore you emails.

    You have to file for a refund with Paypal or you lose your money.

    I hope the authors of this blog post make an adjustment to their list of jade sources.

    Posted on December 21, 2010 at 7:41 PM

     

Appraisal Calendar

Join the LinkedIn Personal Property Group

From Amazon


Journal of Advanced Appraisal Studies