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Hello everyone, I wanted to ask the forum for help identifying a figurine. The figurine depicts a Chinese man. It's not mine, but a friend of mine bought a collection back in the late 1980s, and this figurine was in it. When I saw it, I immediately liked it and asked him if he thought it was unusual. It's unusual. The figurine is only 4.5 cm in size. I think it's glazed. The glaze is a soft blue-white, very beautiful. He thinks it's Chinese, but I think it's European. It's reminiscent of Staffordshire figurines from the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Some people suggest that it is blanc de chine I'd like to get to the bottom of this.
Welcome to the forum Paris. It looks to be an Asian miniature figurine. I do not think it has great age due to closed base with the small vent hole, but it could still be antique (over 100 years) and yes the glaze is attractive. Perhaps some of our members will have come across similar. Sharon
Welcome to the forum Paris. It looks to be an Asian miniature figurine. I do not think it has great age due to closed base with the small vent hole, but it could still be antique (over 100 years) and yes the glaze is attractive. Perhaps some of our members will have come across similar. Sharon
Someone suggested this figurine might have been made as a child's toy. I thought about that too. But again, I couldn't find anything similar. There are usually similar items, but this one doesn't. Regarding the bottom of the figurine, I've even seen large figurines from the 18th century Ming and Qing dynasties with a similar bottom, but this figurine is very small and hollow, so the bottom was probably the logical solution.
In person, the figurine looks extraordinary. It has a magical aura. Yes, the glaze is very beautiful; in different lighting, it changes color from milky white to a light blue and a hint of green—it's very unusual. The glaze seems to glow from within.
Dear Paris,
None of these are Ming or anywhere close to it, but in my opinion, they are older than your example. The scholar I had evaluated by Peter, which I would encourage you to do for your satisfaction. Someone thought the little seal was a Republic Cizou example, not sure about that, but you will see that it is not a perfectly round vent hole.
Peter's evaluation:
Chinese White Glazed Porcelain Scholar, 19th century
"attempt by a porcelain worker most likely in Jingdezhen to produce apiece emulating Blanc De Chine from Dehaua. Were it on a pottery body, I'd think it was likely a Shiwan example."
Age: Late Qing Dynasty circa 1880 to 1900
Value $40 to $50
Good luck to you in your searches. I love the smalls. Sharon
P.S. Make sure your piece is not Hirado Japanese, which it looks like to me, in which case, it would be worth more than generic Chinese. Maybe Julia will or someone will know if Japanese, I'll check my book.
P.P.S. The book had examples of Hirado, but the detail of the pieces were very fine and they did not show the bases. Nancy Shiffer's Japanese Porcelain book. Maybe try comparing bases on Hirado if you can find them on-line, he does have an attractive face and ears.
For what it is worth, a i opinion is the porcelain is not white and pure enough to be a Hirado Okimono. Sorry for all these posts, but by the time I finish looking at things, the time to edit a post has expired. Thanks for the fun.
There is nothing unique, or particularly significant, in the fact that the figure has a flat bottom. If you have a culture familiar with flat surfaces, and you want a figure to stand up, you make it with a flat bottom. The need for vent holes has also been well known since antiquity in any culture that has produced pottery.
Larger figures that were made in multi-piece molds often have larger openings on the base. They were made by pressing flat pieces of clay into the mold, which leaves edges at the bottom the same thickness as the piece of clay used. A separate bottom piece might or might not be added.
I still think this is a Chinese blanc de chine figurine. I hope forum members will have more opinions. Has anyone seen similar figurines? As far as I can see, the numbers 4 0 8 are written vertically on the bottom of the figurine. Perhaps these figurines were used as amulets of good fortune.
Well, for 15.00, you can have it evaluated by Peter.
Are you highlighting the reply because it is a quote, if so, a quote from where?
Thanks for pointing out what may or may not be 408, still mho not Ming. Best Regards, Sharon
Someone wrote this on another forum. When I posted photos of the figurine, they immediately thought it was a miniature dynasty ming blanc de chine boy. But when they saw the bottom, some thought it wasn't Ming, but perhaps European. But the figurine is definitely old, not a fake. I decided to turn to your specialized forum. Perhaps it's not Ming, but Qing, or perhaps an export figurine, although it's unlikely.
It's clear this figurine isn't ordinary; there's something about it. It's clumsily made, yet incredibly well crafted, as if this sloppy look was intended. It seems as if the bottom and the figure itself do not match each other and the plasticity of the figure itself was intended this way. And the glaze is magnificent. It's hard to explain...
As I said it could be antique, but something made in 1926 is an antique. A closed base on "very antique" Chinese porcelain figurines is the exact opposite of what they wrote. It was a fun exercise and I thank you. I agree, he is a delightful little fellow.
These kind of miniature figurines had been made in larger quantities during the Song Dynasty/Jin Dynasty.
I have no idea if this figure is that old but the closed base with the hole does not rule it out. In fact it looks like this was pretty common during that time.
Here is an example from Sothebys:
And I also own a few miniature figurines with closed bases and vent holes which were dated to the Northern Song Dynasty to Jin Dynasty. (I purchased them from dealers but did not ask anyone for a second opinion - I do not believe it is necessary)
There is an exception to every rule, but I think I would have needed a second opinion on something acquired in Hong Kong in 1989, Jin dynasty, I wonder if it sold or was passed? Clauses de non-responsabilite, indeed. Caveat Emptor 😀 Thank you, this is fun too.
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Kangxi vases, Kangxi dishes and chargers, Kangxi ritual pieces, Kangxi scholar's objects, Qianlong famille rose, Qianlong enamels, Qianlong period paintings, Qianlong Emporer's court, Fine porcelain of the Yongzheng period. Chinese imperial art, Ming porcelain including Jiajing, Wanli, Xuande, Chenghua as well as Ming jades and bronzes.
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