A Guide to Identifying Ceramics from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and Republican Eras

Porcelain authentication is a comprehensive field based on disciplines including history, archaeology, craftsmanship, art history, and materials science. Before delving into the identifying details of each dynasty, it is essential to establish a solid methodological foundation. This chapter systematically explains the six core elements of porcelain: body, glaze, form, decoration, craftsmanship, and marks, and examines how to bring them together to make an overall assessment.