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Clay figure of a Chinese woman late eighteenth century

Modelled clay painted and gilt | 57.0 x 33.5 x 26.0 cm (whole object) | RCIN 26085

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  • Clay seated Chinese lady, seated on a rocky throne painted in blue and white, extending her left hand from the sleeve of her knee-length coat as if to emphasise a remark, her right grasping a red and white handkerchief. The face naturalistically painted, with red lips, black pupils, eyebrows and combed-back hair; the ear lobes pierced, and one still holding a metal ring for attaching an earring. The head attached to a weighted rod, pivoted inside so that it can nod. The jacket turquoise-blue, with pink lining to the long sleeves; figured with scattered blooms, and on the front a square panel, bearing a lion among clouds. Her pleated under-robe, extending to the ground, red with a black and gold border, topped by a separate black-bordered red apron, decorated with clouds above waves. The figure set on a rectangular plinth painted en suite with RCIN 176 to resemble veined blue marble.

    In the time of George IV, these lifelike models were among the most typical and impressive contents of the Gallery at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton. Such models appear to have been produced in South China, within reach of the port of Guangzhou, and were essentially made for the European market.

    Text from Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen: Volume III.
    Provenance

    Possibly acquired by George IV. John Crace’s accounts for 1803 include: ‘Three Mandarine figures [£]9.9.0’ (Royal Archives GEO/MAIN/26353). Robert Fogg’s accounts for 21 February 1805 include: ‘Mending 2 Mandarine Clay Figures - [£]6 6 -’ (Royal Archives GEO/MAIN/26370). Sent from the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, to Kensington Palace in April 1848 were ‘eight Chinese clay figures standing. One ditto ditto sitting’ (1829A, p. 205).

  • Medium and techniques

    Modelled clay painted and gilt

    Measurements

    57.0 x 33.5 x 26.0 cm (whole object)


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