The price of Ming and Qing Dynasty porcelain: understanding the market

A market structured by quality, not by age

Contrary to popular belief, Ming porcelain is not always more expensive than Qing porcelain. The market is based primarily on three criteria: quality of execution, rarity, and state of preservation .

An imperial piece from the Qing period, particularly under Kangxi, Yongzheng or Qianlong, can far surpass a later Ming or provincial production.

Chine, fin de la dynastie Ming (1368-1644) Encensoir tripode en porcelaine de Longquan de couleur céladon, recouvert d'une épaisse glaçure vert olive présentant de fines craquelures. Adjugé 160 euros

Ming porcelain: a historical reference

Ming dynasty porcelain is among the most iconic on the market, in particular:

• The blue and white of the 15th–16th centuries

• The productions of the Xuande and Chenghua reigns

• Imperial coins with fine and balanced decoration

Chine, Dynastie Ming, XVIe siècle Grand vase en porcelaine bleue et blanche. Le corps ovoïde s'élevant vers un épaulement arrondi et surmonté d'un col droit et d'un rebord à lèvre est recouvert de différentes nuances de bleu cobalt, avec une scène continue représentant deux féroces dragons à cinq griffes de profil poursuivant la perle sacrée. Estimation: 1500-2000 euros, en vente le 11 juin 2026 avec la salle des ventes Millon.

Price orders:

• Fragment or small piece: €500 to €3,000

• Common decorative item: €5,000 to €30,000

• Beautiful, high-quality piece: €30,000 to €150,000

• Major imperial coins: worth several hundred thousand to several million euros

The determining factors are:

• The quality of cobalt

• The precision of the drawing

• The balance of forms

• The state of preservation

Qing porcelain: a large and hierarchical market

Qing production is much more abundant, with very varied levels of quality.

Chine, dynastie Qing (1644-1911), XIXe siècle Paire de vases en porcelaine peints en bleu monochrome, ornés de motifs en relief blancs représentant des figures et des fleurs orientales, avec des anses en forme de chien Pho. Adjugé 650 euros

The main categories include:

• The Green Family (Kangxi)

• The pink family (Yongzheng, Qianlong)

• Imperial porcelains with a brand

Price orders:

• Late or regular production: €200 to €2,000

• High-quality 18th-century item: €3,000 to €15,000

• Imperial quality piece: €20,000 to €200,000

• Exceptional pieces: worth several million euros

Some porcelains from the Qianlong period now reach price levels higher than many Ming pieces.

Chine, dynastie Qing, période Jiaqing (1796-1820) Vase-bouteille en porcelaine bleu et rouge de cuivre. Le corps est élégamment décoré sous glaçure en rouge cuivré et bleu cobalt, représentant des dragons à cinq griffes marchant au milieu de nuages célestes au-dessus de vagues déferlantes. Adjugé 3000 euros

Translated using DeepL.com (free version)

What truly gives it value

Price differences can be considerable for items that appear similar.

The essential criteria:

• Clarification of the period (a Kangxi is not equivalent to a Guangxu)

• Imperial status or commercial production

• Quality of the glazes and firing

• Condition (cracks, repairs, chips)

• Ancient or documented provenance

CHINE, Marque et époque Kangxi - Rare bol en porcelaine Monté sur un court pied, à paroi circulaire légèrement évasée à l’ouverture, présentant un décor en émaux dits « wucai » de dragon pourchassant la perle sacrée. Adjugé 86 000 euros

A market exposed to copies

Reproductions are numerous, some old and of very good quality. Some Qing porcelains imitate Ming porcelain.

Without thorough analysis, attribution errors are frequent.

Expertise: an essential step

At Gauchet Art Asiatique, each piece is studied according to a rigorous method:

• Analysis of the paste, glaze and firing techniques

• Stylistic analysis and comparison with documented references

• Reading trademarks and assigning a period

• Precise market positioning

This work helps to secure authenticity, refine dating and establish an estimate consistent with the current market.

The price of Ming or Qing porcelain depends primarily on its quality, rarity and condition , much more than on its age alone.

Accurate expertise remains essential to understand the true value of an object and optimize its sale.