Japanese pottery can definitely be classified as works of art. They will even be useful for their intended use if you’d rather not just collect them. If you want to buy antique pottery though, you will need to learn plenty of things before you actually start building a collection. Here are some of the most important points to keep in mind.
Tips for Collecting Japanese Pottery
You need to start out by getting your hands on as much information about Japanese pottery as you possibly can. Spending a lot of time at your local library is a good idea. However, you should think about starting your own library at home by investing in your own books.
You certainly won’t want to buy books on Japanese pottery if you’re only mildly interested in it though. Going this route is mostly for those who are trying to become serious collectors.
In order to see what Japanese pottery looks like, you will have to look at lots of different pictures. By studying the real thing, you will develop a good eye so you’ll know what are good pieces to buy. In addition to visiting your public library or starting your own, you have another possible option.
Going to museums can give you even more experience. Pictures can’t replace actually seeing a piece of Japanese pottery up close and personal. However, there is little chance that you will actually be able to put your hands on the pottery if you go to a museum. You would also have to live in an area that has them nearby unless you’re willing to travel great distances.
Those interested in collecting Japanese pottery will mainly need to focus on their visual inspection skills. There are plenty of possible things that can be wrong with a piece of pottery. There may be cracks or lines that have developed over time that will reduce the value of the item. You would also need to be on the lookout for other signs of wear.
Taking all of these things into account when collecting Japanese pottery is very important since it helps in regards to estimating its true value. This doesn’t mean that pieces of pottery that aren’t in perfect condition won’t be worth your time though.
Potential collectors of Japanese pottery will need to be very careful when buying. This type of pottery can easily be copied and sold as fakes. If you don’t have a good idea, then there is a higher chance that you can be hustled into buying something that isn’t an original piece.
When buying authentic Japanese pottery, there really are no set prices. There are estimates that you can work from and try to negotiate a price that you’re comfortable with. Some dealers will charge more money if you intend to pay with a credit card as opposed to cash since there are fees involved. Therefore, you could try to negotiate a better price by offering to pay in cash. Remember that it is always best to buy Japanese pottery from dealers that have a solid reputation.
