Chinese figurine of one of the gods?
06 May 2025
Description

I purchased 20 years ago at auction of Asian art owned by a known area collector. It is 10" tall including plinth and 3 1/2" at shoulders. I was told at the time that the plinth had been added at some point, but that the figure itself was older. That might be completely untrue. I would like to know anything available.

Dimensions

10" by 3 1/2"

Acquired from
Auction House
For sale
Yes
Answered within 7 days
By David U.
May 13, 08:15 UTC
Fair Market Value
$150 - $300 USD
Insurance Value $0 USD
What does this mean?

Hello,

This figurine represents a Daoist immortal or deity, a popular theme in Chinese decorative arts. The depiction—with a serene facial expression, long beard, and symbolic attributes such as a staff—aligns closely with figures from the Three Star Gods (Fu, Lu, Shou) or other Daoist figures embodying prosperity, health, and longevity.

The polychrome glaze in green, yellow, and red is characteristic of export porcelain made for both domestic Chinese use and overseas collectors, particularly during the mid-20th century, when there was a resurgence of interest in “traditional” styled items. The figure is molded from porcelain and then hand-painted, typical of high-quality but mass-produced wares at that time.

The base shows a six-character mark painted in black. While these marks can sometimes replicate older dynastic marks, in this case, it appears to refer generically to auspicious phrases or workshop names. It is not an imperial mark. The red plinth appears more recent and unrelated to the original production—likely added for display stability or aesthetic reasons.

Condition:
Good condition overall. No significant cracks or repairs are visible from the photographs. Minor rubbing or glaze imperfections may exist, consistent with age and handling. The paint remains vibrant.

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