Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 137, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Figure

7th century-8th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Figure of a western Asiatic, pale buff earthenware covered with a degraded straw-coloured glaze and some remnants of black and red pigments. The figure stands stiffly on a small square base, with the right arm partially raised and holding the belt, the left arm is pendant at the side of the body. The figure wears a knee-length coat, belted at the waist, with wide open lapels. The baggy trousers are tucked into the high boots. On his head the figure wears a tall, peaked hat probably in imitation of a felt one. The face has a particularly large and prominent nose, high cheekbones and a smiling countenance.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Earthenware with lead glaze and traces of pigment
Brief description
Figure of a western Asiatic, glazed earthenware with traces of pigment, China, Tang dynasty, 7th-8th century
Physical description
Figure of a western Asiatic, pale buff earthenware covered with a degraded straw-coloured glaze and some remnants of black and red pigments. The figure stands stiffly on a small square base, with the right arm partially raised and holding the belt, the left arm is pendant at the side of the body. The figure wears a knee-length coat, belted at the waist, with wide open lapels. The baggy trousers are tucked into the high boots. On his head the figure wears a tall, peaked hat probably in imitation of a felt one. The face has a particularly large and prominent nose, high cheekbones and a smiling countenance.
Dimensions
  • Height: 21.9cm
Styles
Credit line
Mrs B. Z. Seligman Bequest
Production
Label, 1994
Subjects depicted
Bibliographic references
  • Ayers, John Chinese and Korean pottery and porcelain London: Lund Humphries, 1964, Seligman collection of Oriental art series II, no. D38, plate XVII.
  • Mahler, Jane Gaston The Westerners among the figurines of the Tang dyansty Rome: Instituto italiano per il Medio ed Estremo Oriente, 1959, plate XXIIb.
  • Michael Sullivan. Chinese ceramics, bronzes and jades in the collection of Sir Alan and Lady Barlow London: Faber and Faber, 1963, no. S12, plate 13a
  • Tenri Museum Sekai Toji Zenshu, vol. IX, fig. 120, p. 206 (another is illustrated in fige. 174, p. 236)
  • Catalogue of an exhibition of the arts of the Tang Dynasty, London : Oriental Ceramic Society, 1955 no.12
  • The Seligman Collection of Oriental Art : Chinese, central Asian and Luristan bronzes, Chinese jades and sculptures, Chinese and Korean ceramics, London : Arts Council of Great Britain, 1966 180
  • Chinese ceramic figures : catalogue of an exhibition held by the Oriental Ceramic Society from April 8th to June 21st, 1947, London : The Society, 1948 55
Collection
Accession number
FE.156-1974

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJanuary 8, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest