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A plate is being offered for sale online by a seller in Europe as from the Song dynasty (C12). It appears from bidding that the reserve was less than US$200. Bids may go much higher, of course.

Does this low reserve cast doubt on its genuineness? I would assume that genuine pieces from this period would be much more expensive.

Feedback to a tyro would be much appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.

in general you are right to be cautious, inasmuch as the overwhelming odds are that some bozo who doesn't know much is trying to make a buck with something he doesn't recognize as song or otherwise. on the other hand, it's quite reasonable to pay $200 for something song that's not a museum piece. genuine song plates can be found for a tenth of that amount if you poke around but they are simple, not awe-inspiring. so could be legit, but not likely to be so.

This is valuable advice and it is useful well beyond this particular transaction. Thank you for taking the trouble to give this careful response.

Good and poor quality made all dynasties. Items may be damaged, badly fired, visibly restored or be composed of married pieces. Some types of things just liked by very few. All can affect perception of 'market value' in addition to possible reproduction or vendor ignorance of actual time made.

Good luck,
Cal

Thanks, Cal. Really useful advice, generously given. The commons at work. Paul

Hi Paul,

I think it doesn't say anything. I know Dutch sellers who do not use reserves and start with an openingsbid of -lets say- 10 dollar. They trust on their good names and (almost) always get a good price without paying high commission because of a high starting bid or a high reserve.

Regards,

Arjan

Thanks, Arjan. As with the two posters before you, this gives me something really useful, a sense of the basics of Chinese ceramics and the unwritten lore of online transactions. Paul

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