Porcelain is considered one of the most precious materials in the world and is often referred to as “white gold” for good reason. In particular, traditional brands such as Meissen, the Royal Porcelain Manufactory Berlin (KPM) and exquisite Chinese porcelain are increasingly becoming the focus of investors. But how attractive is porcelain actually as an investment, and what do investors have to consider?
Timeless and sought-after: porcelain as “white gold”
Porcelain has a long tradition and has fascinated collectors for centuries. The term “white gold” underlines the exclusive character of this material, which has gained particular importance in Europe since the 18th century. The manufactories in Meissen and Berlin (KPM) in particular are considered the cradles of European porcelain. Historical pieces from these manufactories are particularly sought after by collectors and art lovers and regularly achieve high prices at auctions.
The attractiveness of porcelain lies not only in its technical perfection, but also in its cultural and historical significance. Brands like Meissen have a reputation that extends far beyond the borders of Germany and, with their artistic creations, offer collectors worldwide special valuable objects. A well-preserved piece of porcelain from the 18th or 19th century can not only be worth several thousand euros today, but can also continue to increase in price in the years to come. As the Handelszeitung reports, historical porcelain from brands such as Meissen or KPM is a particularly sought-after investment because it has a long tradition and high craftsmanship, which is reflected in its stable value.
Why porcelain can perform better than gold
In times of low interest rates and more volatile Financial markets Investors are increasingly looking for alternative investments. This is where porcelain comes into play, which not only offers aesthetic values but can also be interesting as an investment. According to BILD, certain porcelain objects achieve an annual increase in value of up to ten percent – a figure that in many cases even exceeds the performance of gold. While gold is considered a classic “safe haven” investment, the performance of porcelain depends heavily on the rarity and quality of the piece. Limited series, rare individual pieces or those with particular historical significance usually experience higher increases in value. These developments can be observed primarily at auctions, where collectors are willing to pay large sums for special pieces.
But it’s not just old and rare objects that have potential. Modern, limited collections and collaborations with renowned artists and designers have also shown in recent years that porcelain can also increase in value in a contemporary context. Collectors and investors not only focus on the artistic quality, but also on the exclusivity and limited availability of such pieces.
Chinese porcelain – the underestimated treasure
While European porcelain, especially from Meissen or KPM, has always been valued in collector circles, Chinese porcelain is also experiencing a real boom. Chinese porcelain, some of which dates back to the Ming or Qing dynasties, is increasingly being sold at auctions worldwide at top prices. As Stern reports, vases and bowls from this period in particular often achieve record prices. These pieces are sought after by collectors not only because of their age, but also because of their delicate craftsmanship and elaborate glazing techniques, long unknown in the Western world.
An example of the boom in Chinese porcelain is a Qing Dynasty vase that sold at auction for several million euros. This type of investment has enormous potential, but special expertise is required because there are a large number of counterfeits on the market.
Editorial team finanzen.net