Can You Find a Ming Vase in Corpus Christi?
by Mark Pusateri
We have all seen TV shows where the plot revolves around the theft or breaking of a priceless Ming vase. For some reason, Hollywood has decided that the Ming vase is the archetypical example of a priceless antique.
The Ming period in China was very long, lasting from 1368 to 1644.
Millions and million of pottery pieces were produced, both decorative and utilitarian. Due to the sheer output of the Chinese potters, Ming pieces are far from rare, especially in China.
While there are some masterpieces that fetch millions of dollars at auction, most are far less valuable. Crude utilitarian pieces can be found for as little as $50. Nicer pots, bowls, jars and vases may be had for a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
So, can you find one in Corpus Christi? Almost certainly if you look long enough. Many were brought back as souvenirs by American servicemen after WWII, as well as during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Authentic Ming pieces found in estates are almost always blue and white. Because the quality of cobalt available varied throughout the Ming Dynasty, pieces can be dated with some accuracy just by looking at the color. The finest, deepest blues are from the mid 1400s. A hundred years later, the blue was really more of a violet. Both before and after the violet period, the glazes can more accurately be termed 'gray and white'.
An excellent way for beginners to identify authentic Ming pieces is to look for some crudeness in the glaze and construction. As good as they were, Ming potters could not match the uniformity and smoothness of modern manufactured pots.
The real deal will usually have a rough edge at the bottom where the glaze broke away in places when the pot was removed from the kiln. There may also be large glaze pops and voids on the body. To the aficionado, these are not defects, but marks of beauty.
