Ming Swatow Ware (Zhangzhou) Chinese Porcelain History

Collectors prize Swatoware for its colorful glazes and exuberant, free-form decoration. Swatow ceramics were made during China's late Ming Dynasty period, mainly for export to Southeast Asia. Swatow, derived from the place name Shantou, is in fact a misnomer. These ceramics were neither manufactured nor exported from Shantou, which was a small fishing village during the heyday of Swatoware in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Modern-era archaeological excavations have confirmed that Swatoware was actually produced in the Zhongzhou Prefecture in the southeast of China, with nearby Yuegong acting as the main port of export. In the light of this improved knowledge, these ceramics are now often referred to as Zhongzhouwares. Swatoware is mostly hand-thrown and fired with a relatively thick glaze, and it survives in a variety of forms including dishes, vases, jars and bowls. Many of the pieces that exist today were salvaged from shipwrecks, including sunken vessels originating from Portugal, Spain, and Holland. Some Swatoware pieces are monochrome or simply blue and white, while other polychrome examples use red, green and turquoise colorings. The glaze is often irregular, and many pieces have a characteristic powdering of coarse, sand grains on the foot, a residue from the firing process. Commonly used motifs include lotus flowers and chrysanthemums, as well as dragons, sea creatures and birds. Swatoware does not command the prices that finer porcelain pieces from the Ming era achieve. Even so, its value continues to rise in a buoyant Chinese antiquities market. If you enjoy these videos then please subscribe as new videos are added daily. Thank you. This video is brought to you by Ove Graham's Chinese Antiques. Do you possess a piece of Chinese porcelain or a Chinese work of art that you would like to know more about? It makes sense to get an accurate valuation for a number of reasons, such as. 1. You want advice before buying or selling an item. 2. Your insurance company requires an accurate valuation. 3. A valuation is required for tax or inheritance purposes. 4. You simply just wish to know more about your item's history etc. Whatever your reasons, our valuation service will answer the following important questions on your behalf. How old is your item? Is your item imperial? Where was your item made? How much are similar items selling for at auction? You have heard the old saying you get what you pay for. Well, that is certainly the case here. There are other Chinese antique valuation and authentication services charging less than the service offered by Ove Graham. But Chinese antiques being what they are, it's imperative a good valuer has a sharp eye, hands-on experience along with in-depth knowledge and up-to-date research material. Ove Graham will not undertake any valuation unless he is 100% sure he can deliver to each customer a valuation report that is guaranteed accurate and to which he will personally stand by. It is imperative when looking at Chinese works of art that a correct appraisal is conducted, as incorrect information can be very, very costly to you the customer. Visit chineseantiques.co.uk to start your appraisal and valuation service online. Thank you.