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Carlton House

An exploration of the treasures of Carlton House from paintings and works on paper to decorative arts, swords and pistols

CHINESE

Seated Mandarin and lady

late eighteenth to early nineteenth century

RCIN 176

A painted clay figure of a seated Mandarin (176.1) and Woman (176.2), with nodding heads and wearing Chinese robes with a square detail on the front depicting a crane amid clouds. He holds a handkerchief in his left, she in her right hand. Standing on a square green marbled base.

This clay figure holds a handkerchief in his left hand and is seated on a green plinth. He wears a jewelled hat and his tobacco coloured robe has a madarin square on the front illustrating a crane among clouds. Two undergarments are revealed; one with rocks, waves and clouds, the other with cloud scrolls on red and yellow ground.

The model is similar to the figures with nodding heads placed on the two Weisweiler chinoiserie tables when in the Chinese Room at Carlton House in the 1790s. There are eight further Chinese figures in the Royal Collection (on loan to Brighton Pavilion): some at least, possibly including these, were acquired by the Prince Regent in the early 19th century either for Carlton House or Brighton.

    The income from your ticket contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Royal Collection Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational activities.