Frequently
Asked
Questions
Read below for fast answers about The Chalre Collection:
Whats the big deal about
pots and jars?
"When
people in the west think of art, they usually think of decorative
wall pictures -- usually painted canvas. In Asia, decorated Ceramics has always been the
most important medium for art."
Doesnt pottery break easily?
"Compared to almost all
art mediums, Ceramics is remarkably durable. Ceramic
artifacts can emerge in mint condition despite being buried
for centuries underwater
or underground. Given that the art tradition in China is
probably 1,000 years older than that of the west, we would
have lost much of our understanding of ancient Asian
civilizations had less durable materials been used for their
art. Substances like canvas, wood and even most metals
have difficulty surviving long periods without severe degradation."
What is the difference between
imperial and tradeware ceramics?
"Imperial
Ceramics are those produced for the court of the emperor of China or for his various
government officials, military commanders and so on. Such Porcelain
was produced on a grand scale and
a lot of it found its way into Southeast Asia either as trade
goods or imperial gifts to vassal kings.
Such works of art were produced to the specific and exacting tastes of the
Chinese emperors court.
Tradeware ceramics, on the other hand, were designed to meet
the tastes and requirements of the kings and
other elite of Southeast Asia who were not quite so particular
as those of China. As well, tradeware was
often more sturdily constructed in order to survive the long
voyages across the treacherous south China seas."
How
can I learn just enough about Ceramic Art to impress my friends?
"You
could start with the basic information on this website.
Read over the Ceramic History and Ceramic Types sections from
the main menu a few times and look at some examples of ceramic
styles. It won't take long before you can tell the
difference between a Blue and White and a Celadon. In
most cases, this will be enough to impress your friends with
your worldly knowledge."
What is The Chalre Collection?
"The
Chalre Collection is one of the largest non-institutional collections of
Tradeware Ceramics in Southeast Asian.
Most of the artifacts are between 500 and 1500 years old and cover a
wide range of ceramic styles. The Chalre Collection was
accumulated by the principals of the senior management
executive search firm of Chalre Associates. It is intended to become part of a
museum or other public body at some point in the future."
Are there any fakes in your collection?
"It
is said that most of the world's great art collections have a few
fakes in them. The
curators of The Chalre Collection expend a lot of effort to ensure its pieces are authentic. Much
ongoing work is taken for research into its collection and
additions to it. That said, we are not so arrogant as to
assume that every single piece is completely authentic but we feel
are confident that there aren't many."
Where do your pieces come from?
"In
both quality and quantity, the Chinese have always been the most
enthusiastic producers of Ceramic Art. Over the centuries, Chinese potters and decorators emigrated to other countries especially Vietnam and Thailand and took along with them the skills required to produce high-quality
Ceramic
arts. It is thought this was how the high-end Ceramic Art
was spread throughout Southeast Asia.
The
Chalre Collection tries to mirror the natural proportion of
pieces that were produced over the centuries by various
countries. The
majority of our artifacts are Chinese in origin with lesser numbers
from Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and elsewhere in
Southeast Asia."
Do you ever sell pieces?
"The
Chalre Collection does on occasion offer pieces for sale to private and public collectors.
In these instances, the sales will allow the curators to
re-balance the collection if required and to fund further
purchases."
Go to the
Chalre
Collection
of
Asian Ceramic Art
+632 822 4129
