Buy Chinese Porcelain

At Kuzco Art Maison, you don't purchase Chinese porcelain as a home accessory, but as porcelain art with an antique aesthetic: vases, jars and tulip vases that give an interior the same layered quality as a carefully composed display. Our collection is deliberately assembled for high-end projects and private interiors—from Amsterdam to far beyond, with placements including Les Bains De Spa hotel (UNESCO World Heritage location in Belgium).

Selection and quality control stems from art-historical research and connoisseurship. Kuzco Art Maison operates under the direction of Lilly-Ann de Zeeuw, MA (Museum Studies & Art, Market & Connoisseurship—UvA & VU), who personally selects porcelain at leading ateliers in China. Viewing is possible in our showrooms in Amsterdam and Bleiswijk; we arrange secure and insured shipping throughout Europe.

How to Recognise Quality Chinese Porcelain

Quality in Chinese porcelain rarely resides in one visible detail. It reveals itself in the cohesion between material, form, painting and finish—and in the knowledge with which those elements are assessed. At Kuzco Art Maison, we select porcelain not on appearance alone, but on technical characteristics and art-historical conviction. Thus emerge objects with a distinctive antique look: not old for the sake of being old, but carefully crafted to carry the same composure, depth and naturalness as historical porcelain.

Material, Body and Glaze

The foundation of high-quality Chinese porcelain lies in the use of pure raw materials, with kaolin as the core. This mineral ensures a hard, fine body that is fired at high temperature and fully vitrifies: dense, strong and barely porous. You'll feel this directly when lifting a vase or jar—the Chinese porcelain is light yet has a distinctive ring when lightly tapped.

The glaze also reveals quality. With fine porcelain, the glaze doesn't sit "on" the object but forms one whole with the body. The result is depth: subtle colour variations, a soft lustre and a surface that catches light without mirroring. In our collection, you'll see this in classic blue and white, but also in soft white tones, celadon green glaze and more expressive colours. These technical choices give our pieces their characteristic, antique-appearing aesthetic.

Hand-Painted Details and Antique

The majority of our Chinese porcelain is hand-painted. You'll observe this in small variations in brushwork, in the thickness of lines and in how motifs adapt to the object's form. This variation isn't imperfection but a sign of craft and mastery—precisely what gives porcelain its vitality and soul.

With certain items, we employ traditional transfer techniques using cobalt blue, a historical process widely applied during the Qing period for export porcelain. We deliberately use this technique to create an authentic, lived-in appearance. The aim is never perfection, but conviction: porcelain that appears as though it has belonged in an interior for generations. This makes the pieces more accessible than antiques, without losing their aesthetic value.

Imagery and Art-Historical Value

Quality also resides in what is depicted. Floral motifs, dragons, landscapes and symbols aren't decorative arbitrariness but reference themes such as prosperity, protection and continuity. Drawing from her background in art history and connoisseurship, Lilly-Ann de Zeeuw assesses these representations not solely on beauty, but on coherence, proportion and historical logic. Thus objects are selected that fit not only within an interior, but within a longer cultural tradition.

Authentic Porcelain vs Decorative Imitations: The Difference

Decorative imitations are often heavier, clumsier, with a coarser body and flat, uniform glaze. Motifs are repetitive, symmetrical and lack nuance. They appear attractive from a distance but lack depth and conviction. After purchase, there's scarcely any lasting resale value for this cheap porcelain.

Authentically crafted Chinese porcelain, conversely, displays tension in form, subtlety in colour and a finish that withstands time and use. Our porcelain is timeless and can be resold years later at purchase price or even more.

At Kuzco Art Maison, we deliberately choose porcelain that transcends decoration: objects with an antique aesthetic, intended as sculptural accents within high-quality interiors. Our Chinese porcelain retains its value. Not antique in the strict sense—that resides in an entirely different price category—but porcelain art that breathes the same composure, quality and cultural resonance. That's precisely what our clients choose.

The Kuzco Art Maison Chinese Porcelain Collection

Our porcelain collection is structured as we approach interiors: curatorially, with attention to provenance, formal language and placement. Each piece is selected from art-historical research and stylistic knowledge, with focus on balance in silhouette, depth in glaze and conviction in decoration. The result is Chinese porcelain with an antique look—more accessible than rare antiques, but with the same layered character that gives high-end interiors distinction. Kuzco Art Maison is trusted by interior designers, interior shops and decorators in 10+ countries; viewing is possible in our showrooms in Amsterdam and Bleiswijk.

Tulip Vases

Our tulip vases are sculptural objects with architecture: constructed from multiple tiers, designed to bring rhythm and verticality to a console, mantelpiece or dining table. Models such as 'Amélie' reference 19th-century Qing examples and are hand-crafted and painted in a camaïeu of cobalt blue with floral motifs. The subtly aged finish strengthens precisely that antique aesthetic our clients seek: porcelain that appears as though it has belonged in an interior for generations.

Ginger Jars

Ginger jars are quintessentially made for symmetry and composition: as a pair beside a fireplace, on a sideboard or in a niche. In our collection, you'll find reproduced blue-and-white ginger jars with hand-applied motifs—including the dragon motif, a classical symbol of power, protection and prosperity within Chinese visual language. Historically, this type of jar was used for storing and transporting precious goods—the name says it all: ginger. Today it functions as a culturally charged statement in the interior.

Chinese Vases

Among Chinese vases at Kuzco are principally powerful, timeless forms such as baluster vases—objects that can read both classically and modernly, depending on placement. The 'Longevity' pair exemplifies this: floral decoration in cobalt blue featuring the character shòu (long life), applied using a traditional transfer technique for exceptionally precise linework. The vases are subsequently hand-formed and finished with slight, intentional irregularities that strengthen the antique look. A convincing art object for interiors.

Lidded Jars & Potiches

Lidded jars and potiches are porcelain pieces with magnificent presence suited to nearly every interior. Closed forms that bring composure and weight to a space, ideal for display cabinets, mantelpieces and console arrangements. Sets such as 'Milou' are entirely hand-painted in cobalt blue with continuous motifs—including the renowned and coveted phoenix (renewal and prosperity)—and are crowned with a Foo dog as a protective symbol.

Chinese Porcelain FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Is this antique or contemporary Chinese porcelain?

Our collection consists of contemporarily crafted Chinese porcelain with a carefully developed antique look. This means: newly made, but with antique finish, formal language and decoration that reference art-historical examples (such as Qing-inspired tulip vases, blue-and-white ginger jars and baluster vases). Genuine antique porcelain typically resides in a different price category and market—often scarcer, more fragile and highly sought by (Chinese) collectors. We deliberately choose pieces that approach the atmosphere and layered quality of antiques but are suitable for the Western market and more accessible for interior projects.

How do I recognise hand-painted porcelain?

With hand-painting, you'll observe nuance: small variations in brush pressure, linework and pigment density. Motifs follow the vase or jar's form naturally; the decoration never appears "printed" or completely identical. In our collection, the majority is hand-painted. With certain blue-and-white pieces, a traditional transfer technique is applied to achieve very tight, graphic lines—a choice that suits classic cobalt blue and certain historical references. Transfer printing is recognisable by the very small dots from the print sheet rather than brushstrokes.

Are small variations normal?

Yes, imperfections make our pieces perfectly authentic. Particularly with porcelain bearing artisanal finish, subtle differences are normal and desired. Consider minimal variation in blue tone, slight movement in the glaze or small irregularities in the aged finish. These aren't flaws but characteristics of handwork and the intended character: porcelain art that doesn't appear clinically new but convincing and lived-in.

Do you supply to private individuals?

Kuzco Art Maison operates primarily B2B: for interior designers, interior shops, decorators and project furnishing. In exceptional cases, we also supply to private individuals. In such instances, the retail recommended price applies. Thus we maintain consistent positioning and value within the market.

What's the difference between porcelain and earthenware?

The fundamental difference between porcelain and earthenware begins with material. High-quality Chinese porcelain is crafted from kaolin, an exceptionally pure white clay that derives its name from Gaoling, near Jingdezhen—the historical heart of Chinese porcelain production. Precisely in China was this clay first technically mastered and combined with feldspar (petuntse), leading to porcelain as we know it today.

Porcelain is fired at very high temperatures (around 1300–1400°C), causing it to fully vitrify: the body becomes hard, dense and barely porous. Glaze and body fuse into one whole, resulting in that characteristic clarity, finesse and an almost singing ring when the object is lightly tapped.

Earthenware, conversely, is fired at lower temperatures, remains more porous and has a thicker, heavier-appearing wall. The glaze sits more "on" the object than anchored within it. For interior applications—where form, refinement and light interaction are essential—porcelain therefore offers a distinctly different quality and presence than earthenware.

What should I look for in blue-and-white Chinese porcelain?

Look for balance in decoration: how the motif flows with the form, the composure in negative space and the depth of cobalt blue. Quality blue-and-white pieces don't have flat, uniform colour but display nuances in pigment and brushwork or in tightly executed transfer lines. In interiors, blue-and-white porcelain often works as a graphic anchor: it provides rhythm and contrast without becoming strident.

Need personal advice? Contact us and we'll gladly assist via email, telephone or by appointment in our atelier.

What do motifs like dragon, phoenix and shòu (long life) mean?

Many motifs in Chinese porcelain carry symbolism. The dragon is traditionally associated with strength, protection and prosperity. The phoenix often references renewal and fortune. The character shòu represents long life and harmony. This visual language gives porcelain additional resonance: you're not merely placing a vase or jar, but an object with cultural significance—subtle yet palpable in the space.

Is it better to place porcelain as a set or single piece?

Both work, but sets and pairs offer a strong interior advantage: they bring symmetry and composure. Ginger jars and lidded jars are often placed as pairs on a mantelpiece or sideboard. A single, sculptural piece—such as a tulip vase—works excellently as a statement on a console or plinth. We often advise based on space, sightlines and the room's design concept.

How do I maintain Chinese porcelain at home?

Regular dusting with a soft, dry cloth is usually sufficient. Avoid aggressive cleaning agents and abrasive materials; these can dull the glaze. For light cleaning, you can use lukewarm water and immediately dry afterwards. Preferably place porcelain stably, away from traffic areas, and optionally use a discreet anti-slip pad beneath the foot when positioned on natural stone or lacquered wood.

Is Chinese porcelain suitable for hospitality and commercial projects?

Yes, provided scale and placement are appropriate. In hospitality, porcelain works powerfully as a sculptural accent: in lobbies, suites, reception areas and niches. Precisely the antique aesthetic immediately provides layered quality and 'collected' character. We regularly supply for high-end interiors where porcelain isn't viewed as decoration but as part of the total experience.

How is my porcelain packed and shipped?

Porcelain demands care. We pack with protection around form, rim and foot, so shocks are absorbed and pressure points avoided. For larger orders or fragile pieces, shipping is coordinated for safe handling. For customers throughout Europe, we arrange shipping with attention to reliability and risk reduction—from showroom/atelier to interior.

Can I view the porcelain in the showroom?

Yes. Viewing is possible in our showrooms in Amsterdam and Bleiswijk. For interior professionals, we can collaborate on selection, combination and placement within the design concept—so porcelain doesn't stand "somewhere" but genuinely complements a space.