Ceramics reward close looking. Before you bid, work through five questions.
Is the mark right for the period? Marks were copied for centuries, so treat them as a clue rather than proof.
Has the piece been restored? Ask for photographs under ultraviolet light, which shows overpainting clearly.
Is the glaze consistent? Firing faults made at the time are part of the object; later touch-ups are not.
Does the size match the catalogue? A small difference can mean a different factory. And finally, can you see it in person? Our viewing days exist for exactly this.
