Image: Ru ware bowl stand, Northern Song dynasty, China @ National Museum of Asian Art

Reimagining Purpose: Functional and Cultural Dimensions of Chinese Ceramics with Dr. Chih-En Chen

Sunday, January 12, 2025 - 3 p.m. (ET) 

Please join Professor Chih-En Chen who will reevaluate commonly accepted assumptions in scholarship regarding the function of Chinese ceramics. Traditional interpretations often assign specific roles—ritual, decorative, or utilitarian—to these objects, yet such classifications are frequently based on limited evidence. Through a close examination, this presentation considers the complexities of these ceramics’ intended uses and their broader cultural contexts. By questioning established views, this lecture seeks to encourage a more nuanced, evidence-based approach to understanding the multifaceted roles of Chinese ceramics in historical practice.

Asian art consultant, Anthony Wu, will moderate the discussion following Dr Chen's lecture.

Not sure you can attend live? We've got you covered! A video recording of this presentation will be made available to all those who reserve/purchase tickets.

BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Chih-En Chen is a researcher at the National Museum of Asian Art, where he supports the Melvin R. Seiden Curator of Chinese Art in studying Chinese ceramics and contributing to a book project. Previously, he taught East Asian Art History at the University of Toronto and held roles at Christie’s and Waddington’s Auctioneers. Dr. Chen completed his PhD at SOAS, University of London, with research interests in Chinese ceramics, Chan Buddhist art, and artisanal knowledge. His awards include the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship, Chiang Ching-kuo CCK Fellowship, and the Oriental Ceramic Society’s George de Menasce Memorial Trust Award.

Anthony Wu is an Asian Art consultant and researcher for various auction houses and private clients in Canada and the USA. Recently, he has been in charge of setting up Asian Art sales at Heffel, Canada's national auction house. Anthony has a B.A. and M.A. in Art History from the University of Toronto. He is a USPAP-compliant appraiser and a Certified Member with the Appraisers Association of America. He is also a consultant and official Asian Art blogger for the New York-based auction platform Bidsquare.com, a regular contributor to Orientations magazine in Hong Kong, and on the board of the Gardiner Museum and the Canadian Association of Personal Property Appraisers. Anthony is passionate about Asian decorative arts and frequently travels the world to visit museum collections and auction previews.