`Made in Taiwan' and proud of it

But, six months after the launch of the certification scheme, government authorities are catching up. The Council for Cultural Affairs (文建會) is working with the National Taiwan Craft Research Institute (國立台灣工藝研究所) on certification systems for other handicrafts.

The certificate for ceramic works is scheduled to be launched at the end of this year, according to Lu Chia-ching, chief executive of the Chinese Ceramic Association (中華民國陶藝協會). The certificate's logo is currently being designed and the two authorities will jointly issue certificates for works considered above standard quality.

Proving it

"Unlike wood carvings, the ceramic circle has seen few disputes over the origin of ceramic works, but there are confusing standards of quality. The certificate will mark those works deemed above standard quality," Lu said.

The TWCA, meanwhile, believes it is on to a good thing with the certification scheme, but needs to convince wood carving artists the idea is sound.

"What artists do not yet seem to understand is that this is a guarantee of their intellectual property rights. Collectors may not have doubts about the origin of their collection today, but a dispute may arise decades afterward. The wood carving circle needs to promote the protection of intellectual property rights," Yang said.