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TL testing began in the 1960s and today is a common TL testing does have its limitations, and the results
way to provide a scientific, objective approximation of may be influenced by the environmental conditions
the date a ceramic piece was made. However, because an object has been through. For instance, a ceramic
of the necessity to drill holes in the piece to provide object that has gone through high or repeated doses
the sample to test, this is also a destructive technique of radiation will test older than it actually is and, an
which can decrease the value of a work of art. Over 100 object that has been exposed to intense heat may test
ceramic pieces have been tested in the Chang collection younger than its actual date of manufacture. TL test
using the TL process. It is unusual for this number of results should be treated as evidence rather than as a
pieces in one collection to have been tested, as usually definitive conclusion.
the test is limited to particular pieces which might
be considered questionable. However, for Chester
Chang the authenticity was of utmost importance. The Ceramic Catalogue
It outweighed any possible loss of monetary value to
any particular piece or the actual damage, aesthetically The Chang collection includes all types of Korean art
speaking, to the bottom of the pieces, which in Chang’s and artifacts. This catalogue focuses on the ceramic
opinion was nominal. With the art of forgery becoming pieces, which are presented here in a combination of
more and more sophisticated over the years, Chang chronological order and typological groupings. The
felt an urgent need to find a way to authenticate his objects range from the early unglazed earthenware of
collection objectively. As Bartle and Watling explain, the Silla Kingdom, to the celadon pieces of the Goryeo
period, to the porcelains and buncheong ware of the
The illicit trafficking of cultural material, specifically ancient Joseon dynasty.
South-East Asian artifacts, is comparable with the illegal
trading of drugs, firearms, and tobacco. . . Experts estimate
that c. 20% of Chinese material entering the international art The reasons for this particular focus are multi-fold.
market is fraudulent. (2007, 342) Ceramics are an important craft form in Korean
history and are intricately tied to the court, aristocracy,
Counterfeiters have also sought many ways to and everyday life of the common people. Secondly,
circumvent TL tests such as attempting to artificially because of the sheer volume of the collection, it was
irradiate the piece, building an entire new piece around more practical to define a particular subject of study for
the broken base or loose shards of an ancient piece, or the book. Also, the majority of the ceramics featured in
inserting sections of an older, authentic piece in the this book were selected by the collector himself to be
base of a forgery where they suspect a TL sample might scientifically tested for authenticity, therefore they hold
be taken. Because of this, and to control for any other important significance for him as an individual, above
errors, samples are generally taken from two different and beyond the larger historical context.
locations on the base of the piece.
The ceramics in this catalogue were used for all types of
Though Chang explains that he did not have serious purposes from official ceremonies to simple containers
doubts about his collection, he wanted to have the for food. They include various shapes and sizes:
extra security and peace of mind that the TL tests dishes, bowls, jars, vases, cups, water droppers, brush
would provide. All of the tests on his collection were stands, and incense burners. In some cases, there are
performed by Oxford Authentication Laboratories in even pieces that Chang still uses today. For example,
England. Their website explains the process of testing a Joseon period porcelain jar is now used as a vase for
and also explains the usefulness of the test in this flowers (cat. 80), and what was once a brush holder
context: is now used to hold pens and pencils (cat. 94). When
his family moved to America, the uses of many of the
TL is only one tool in the investigation for authenticity. It cannot ceramics evolved, adapting to a new time and place. The
give the complete picture although it can do many things. It gives ceramics hold important meanings for Chang, for the
an absolute, objective measurement of the time since the clay
at the sampling site was fired. In addition it can detect unfired aesthetic beauty they contain, as representations of his
clay and restoration material. If samples are taken from several culture, and as a direct tie to his family and ancestors.
locations on the piece, TL can indicate if sections are made from Many of the family pieces bring back vivid memories
a similar clay. As an independent dating tool, it is invaluable. of his childhood.

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