Ming Dynasty Blue-Glazed Processional Figures

A set of blue-glazed Chinese Ming Dynasty earthenware figures. Each figure has been styled in long, flowing robes coloured a vivid blue. Additional features have been accented in a deep amber yellow, highlighting sashes and hair ties. The hair is tied into an elaborate top-knot and coloured a dull brown. This, and other areas left bare, would have been ‘cold-painted’ after firing, to contrast with the vivid fired blue and amber pigments. Each figure holds a processional instrument, suggesting that these figures would have been placed in the tomb of the deceased to lead his way into the afterlife.

 

Date: c. 1368–1644 AD
Period: Ming Dynasty
Condition: Very fine condition
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The vivid blue and dark yellow colours on these figures are reminiscent of ‘Fahua ware’ figurines and pottery. Fahua ware refers to a colour palette used for decoration, which includes deep blue, turquoise, purple, yellow, and green.

These figures would have been displayed amongst the processional group within a tomb, most likely before a sedan chair or palanquin and before the musician figures. They would have served a ceremonial purpose – to announce the arrival of the tomb occupant.

The Ming dynasty played host to some of China’s most renowned artistic achievements – famed, of course, for its vases, but also works such as Shen Zhou’s ‘Lofty Mount Lu’. The culture’s artistic explosion can be in part explained by the Ming dynasty’s economic success.

N.B. Price per figurine. Measurements given are of figurine A.

To discover more about Chinese terracotta statuettes, please visit our relevant blog post: Terracotta Tomb Attendants.

Weight 270 g
Dimensions W 5.5 x H 20 cm
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Pottery and Porcelain

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