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The Valuation of Copies for Chinese Artworks

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  • Kim Oosterlinck
  • Anne-Sophie Radermecker
  • Yuqing Song

Abstract

Are copies always inferior to originals in value? In this paper we first detail the differences between the Western and the Eastern worlds’ appreciation of copies. While the hand of the artist is vital in the evaluation of an artwork in the West, Chinese markets also consider the formal aspects of copies in art valuation. Focusing on the eminent Chinese old master Dong Qichang (1555–1636), an artist who was instrumental in developing a system of naming the artists he copied, our empirical analysis demonstrates that the prices of copies may be higher than those of originals. The paper therefore sheds light on how buyers value copies in the context of a globalized art market.

Suggested Citation

  • Kim Oosterlinck & Anne-Sophie Radermecker & Yuqing Song, 2023. "The Valuation of Copies for Chinese Artworks," Working Papers CEB 23-008, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    • Handle: RePEc:sol:wpaper:2013/362789
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Global art market; Copies; Dong Qichang; Chinese calligraphy and painting; Valuation mechanisms;
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