The Butler Collection of Chinese Porcelain: From Connoisseur's Eye to Cutting-Edge Science

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One of the world's finest collections of seventeenth-century Chinese porcelain began with a single purchase and a collector's curiosity.

In this fascinating illustrated talk, Katharine Butler traces the remarkable evolution of the Sir Michael Butler Collection, developed over decades through careful collecting, scholarly research and an enduring passion for one of the most creative periods in Chinese ceramic history. Along the way, she explores how the collection contributed to a deeper understanding of seventeenth-century Chinese porcelain and reveals the unexpected role played by Sir Edward Heath in its story.

Today, advances in scientific analysis, digital cataloguing and artificial intelligence are transforming the study of historic ceramics. Drawing on her own research, Katharine Butler will discuss how these new techniques are helping scholars and collectors assess authenticity, identify forgeries and open up new possibilities for museums, researchers and collectors alike.

Combining art history, detective work and cutting-edge technology, this talk offers a unique insight into a remarkable collection and the future of porcelain scholarship.