Chinese Ge

Klas Larsson · 29th May 2007, 12:49 AM

That was a lot of good advice. Both books looks very interesting, and as there is not much literature on Chinese weapons, I must get those. Thank you both for those books.

It was interesting to hear that there are 100 years old bronze replicas! Collecting has a very long tradition in China, I have heard, so that makes sense. I realize it's impossible to say something definite on just pictures but I was interested in all opinions, and qualified guesses.

I my inexperienced eye the Ge look as it have some heavy patina, and also the damage gave me a feeling that it might be worth a chance. But I really dont know what to look for. And it lacks any provenance. So fairly low chance I guess.

VANDOO · 29th May 2007, 03:43 AM

SEARCH IN THE OLD FORUM FOR "REPLICAS CURRENTLY IN VOUGE" POSTED 8/07/2001 BY VANDOO.
UNFORTUNATELY MOST PICTURES ARE GONE BUT THERE IS A GOOD PICTURE OF A SHOP SHOWING WHAT WAS TO BE SEEN REPEATED MANY TIMES IN MANY CITIES IN CHINA. PHILIP TOM ALSO CONFIRMS THE PRESENCE OF CHINESE COLLECTORS GOING BACK A LONG WAY. A BRONZE FAKE HAD TO BE VERY WELL MADE AND PATINATED IN ORDER TO SELL TO MANY COLLECTORS AS MANY WERE VERY WELL EDUCATED IN ANTIQUE BRONZE ITEMS. THERE ARE MANY OTHER POSTS ON BRONZE ITEMS IN THE OLD FORUMS ALSO. BELOW ARE SOME PICTURES OF ONES I HAVE MOST I CONSIDER REPLICAS EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE OFFICIAL CHINESE STAMP AND SEAL. THE LAST PICTURE HAS SOME REAL ONES BUT THEY ARE NOT BRONZE EXCEPT FOR THE TWO AX HEADS. SOME OF THE OTHER KNIVES ARE COMMON TOURIST ITEMS SHOWY WITH FAIR WORKMANSHIP AND MOST IMPORTANT CHEAP.

Bill M · 31st May 2007, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klas Larsson

It was interesting to hear that there are 100 years old bronze replicas! Collecting has a very long tradition in China, I have heard, so that makes sense. I realize it's impossible to say something definite on just pictures but I was interested in all opinions, and qualified guesses.

Klas,

The Chinese have been making fakes MUCH longer than 100 years. It is a tradition and often considered just "good business to have extravagant age and provenance claims."

It is only logical to realize that most weapons, axes, whatever that were real and authentic were of low quality, made for use by average people. The Ge I posted was not made for a Chinese General, nobility or high ranking official! The price was surprisingly low for an authentic Han piece. Email me for amount if you like.

It seems naive to me that many people buy "Chinese General" weapons, particularly on eBay.

You may get lucky in an antique shop or flea market, but the more you do your homework, the luckier you can be.

I define "luck" as "preparation meeting opportunity."

If you like this area of old Chinese bronzes, get Allen's book. He also has a lot of authentic Chinese pieces for sale. Not a lot of weapons, but good and authentic.

Get some of the coins and handle them. You will find that this will increase your ability to discern age. Most collectors I know best determine authenticity by feel. You will hear, "I like the pictures, but I would only give a real opinion if I could hold it."

29th May 2007, 03:43 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	SEARCH IN THE OLD FORUM FOR "REPLICAS CURRENTLY IN VOUGE" POSTED 8/07/2001 BY VANDOO. UNFORTUNATELY MOST PICTURES ARE GONE BUT THERE IS A GOOD PICTURE OF A SHOP SHOWING WHAT WAS TO BE SEEN REPEATED MANY TIMES IN MANY CITIES IN CHINA. PHILIP TOM ALSO CONFIRMS THE PRESENCE OF CHINESE COLLECTORS GOING BACK A LONG WAY. A BRONZE FAKE HAD TO BE VERY WELL MADE AND PATINATED IN ORDER TO SELL TO MANY COLLECTORS AS MANY WERE VERY WELL EDUCATED IN ANTIQUE BRONZE ITEMS. THERE ARE MANY OTHER POSTS ON BRONZE ITEMS IN THE OLD FORUMS ALSO. BELOW ARE SOME PICTURES OF ONES I HAVE MOST I CONSIDER REPLICAS EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE OFFICIAL CHINESE STAMP AND SEAL. THE LAST PICTURE HAS SOME REAL ONES BUT THEY ARE NOT BRONZE EXCEPT FOR THE TWO AX HEADS. SOME OF THE OTHER KNIVES ARE COMMON TOURIST ITEMS SHOWY WITH FAIR WORKMANSHIP AND MOST IMPORTANT CHEAP. Attached Images

29th May 2007, 12:49 AM	#1
Klas Larsson Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 23	That was a lot of good advice. Both books looks very interesting, and as there is not much literature on Chinese weapons, I must get those. Thank you both for those books. It was interesting to hear that there are 100 years old bronze replicas! Collecting has a very long tradition in China, I have heard, so that makes sense. I realize it's impossible to say something definite on just pictures but I was interested in all opinions, and qualified guesses. I my inexperienced eye the Ge look as it have some heavy patina, and also the damage gave me a feeling that it might be worth a chance. But I really dont know what to look for. And it lacks any provenance. So fairly low chance I guess.