Alan Chuang: The porcelain connoisseur
Alan Chuang is Chairman of Chuang's Consortium International Limited and a multiple yacht owner, whose latest 55m Lady Candy is in build at Benetti in Livorno. Like many owners he is an avid art collector – and of rare Imperial Chinese porcelain in particular. In fact, his collection is one of the most important in recent times. In 2010 he published a superbly printed, award-winning book, The Alan Chuang Collection of Chinese Porcelain, cataloguing his unique collection.…
Alan Chuang is chairman of Chuang's Consortium International Limited and a multiple yacht owner, whose latest 55m Lady Candy is in build at Benetti in Livorno. Like many owners he is an avid art collector – and of rare Imperial Chinese porcelain in particular. In fact, his collection is one of the most important in recent times. In 2010 he published a superbly printed, award-winning book, The Alan Chuang Collection of Chinese Porcelain, cataloguing his unique collection.
Chuang has had a passion for Chinese porcelain from an early age, encouraged by his father's enthusiasm for all aspects of Chinese art and culture. He developed his interest and knowledge on business trips to Beijing and at auctions, as well as studying and researching the subject over many years. He made his first acquisition, a famille-rose vase, at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong in 1981. His collection spans from the early 14th century to the end of the 18th century, including ceramic art from three different dynasties: the Yuan (1271-1368), the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911).
"Collecting for me is a kind of spiritual relaxation, where I am able to find peace and satisfaction," he says in his preface to the book. "My philosophy through the years has been to collect items for their quality and refinement, and not about building quantity. Thus, I consider myself more of a purist than an investor seeking monetary gains."
Chinese porcelain epitomised the height of Chinese culture (hence the word ‘china’ in English). Prized porcelain ware was used by high officials and the wealthy for display and appreciation. This was particularly true of pieces from the Imperial kilns, which were made for the Emperor's own enjoyment. The decoration on these porcelain pieces is exceptionally refined, encompassing painting, calligraphy and poetry, making them priceless works of art.
The late Julian Thompson, a highly respected authority on Imperial Chinese Ceramics, authored the book. After joining Sotheby's in London in 1963, he overcame an early calamity when, entrusted with carrying a pile of precious famille rose plates during a departmental move, he fell down an open manhole and reduced them to fragments. He was responsible for developing the company's international business in the Far East with the first auctions of Chinese art in Hong Kong in 1973.
"Our aim has been not only to produce a beautiful book, but at the same time to develop a new presentation of its content, which will make the significance and individual character of each piece in the collection more accessible to the reader," wrote Thompson.
Consultant on the book project was Geng Baochang, a world-renowned expert on antique Chinese porcelain who has written many leading works on the subject. A researcher at the Palace Museum, Beijing, he is a Member of the State Committee for the Authentication of Cultural Relics.
The 408-page book is bi-lingual in English and Chinese and was designed by Misha Anikst, whose designs of the Meiyintang Collection catalogues stand out among recent publications in the field of Chinese ceramics. Photographers Richard Pearson and Clarissa Bruce applied their meticulous approach to state-of-the-art digital photography to produce the finest illustrations.
For the full feature on Chuang's latest build, Lady Candy, subscribe to issue four of The Superyacht Owner, Monaco Yacht Show edition, out in September, or become a member of The Superyacht Owner project today.
Alan Chuang, the owner of 55m Lady Candy, in build at Benetti.
Image: Justin Ratcliffe
Image: Justin Ratcliffe
Chuang has had a passion for Chinese porcelain from an early age, encouraged by his father's enthusiasm for all aspects of Chinese art and culture. He developed his interest and knowledge on business trips to Beijing and at auctions, as well as studying and researching the subject over many years. He made his first acquisition, a famille-rose vase, at a Sotheby's auction in Hong Kong in 1981. His collection spans from the early 14th century to the end of the 18th century, including ceramic art from three different dynasties: the Yuan (1271-1368), the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911).
"Collecting for me is a kind of spiritual relaxation, where I am able to find peace and satisfaction," he says in his preface to the book. "My philosophy through the years has been to collect items for their quality and refinement, and not about building quantity. Thus, I consider myself more of a purist than an investor seeking monetary gains."
In 2010, Chuang published an award-winning book: The Alan Chuang Collection of Chinese Porcelain. Photo: Justin Ratcliffe
Chinese porcelain epitomised the height of Chinese culture (hence the word ‘china’ in English). Prized porcelain ware was used by high officials and the wealthy for display and appreciation. This was particularly true of pieces from the Imperial kilns, which were made for the Emperor's own enjoyment. The decoration on these porcelain pieces is exceptionally refined, encompassing painting, calligraphy and poetry, making them priceless works of art.
"Collecting for me is a kind
of spiritual relaxation, where I am able to find peace and satisfaction," says Chuang.
The late Julian Thompson, a highly respected authority on Imperial Chinese Ceramics, authored the book. After joining Sotheby's in London in 1963, he overcame an early calamity when, entrusted with carrying a pile of precious famille rose plates during a departmental move, he fell down an open manhole and reduced them to fragments. He was responsible for developing the company's international business in the Far East with the first auctions of Chinese art in Hong Kong in 1973.
"Our aim has been not only to produce a beautiful book, but at the same time to develop a new presentation of its content, which will make the significance and individual character of each piece in the collection more accessible to the reader," wrote Thompson.
The 408-page book was designed
by Misha Anikst, whose designs of the Meiyintang Collection catalogues
stand out among recent publications in the field of Chinese ceramics. Photo: Justin Ratcliffe
Consultant on the book project was Geng Baochang, a world-renowned expert on antique Chinese porcelain who has written many leading works on the subject. A researcher at the Palace Museum, Beijing, he is a Member of the State Committee for the Authentication of Cultural Relics.
The 408-page book is bi-lingual in English and Chinese and was designed by Misha Anikst, whose designs of the Meiyintang Collection catalogues stand out among recent publications in the field of Chinese ceramics. Photographers Richard Pearson and Clarissa Bruce applied their meticulous approach to state-of-the-art digital photography to produce the finest illustrations.
Chuang travelled to Tuscany to monitor progress on his new Benetti-built superyacht. Image: Justin Ratcliffe
For the full feature on Chuang's latest build, Lady Candy, subscribe to issue four of The Superyacht Owner, Monaco Yacht Show edition, out in September, or become a member of The Superyacht Owner project today.
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