Figure and Box thumbnail 1
Figure and Box thumbnail 2
+5
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Europe 1600-1815, Room 7, The Sheikha Amna Bint Mohammed Al Thani Gallery

Figure and Box

ca. 1710-1725 (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Unknown (maker)
Place of origin
China (made)

This figure is of a European merchant in the type of clothes worn from about 1700-1725. It comes with a wooden carrying case. Models of European and Chinese figures were popular trade items shipped from China to Europe in the 18th century. They decorated the interior of country houses.


Object details

Category
Figures & Decorative Ceramics
Object type
Figure and box
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.

  • Figure of European
  • Box
  • Figure (Head)
Materials and techniques
Clay and bamboo figure, with lacquered wood carrying case
Brief description
Figure of a western merchant with wooden box, China, Qing dynasty, ca. 1710-1725
Dimensions
  • Figure height: 33 cmcm
  • Base of the figure width: 11cm
  • Base of the figure depth: 11.5cm
  • Box height: 42.2cm
  • Box width: 26cm
  • Box depth: 25.5cm
Styles
Qing
Chinese Export
Gallery label
  • Portrait figure of a European About 1710-25 This is probably a portrait of an East India company merchant. A naturalist who sailed to China with the Swedish East India Company in 1751 recorded visiting a ‘famous Face-maker’ who made portraits of this type. He noted that ‘Europeans often go to this man to be represented in their usual dress; and sometimes he hits them exceedingly well’. China (probably Guangzhou) Painted clay on bamboo armature; lacquered wood case Family label for Europe 1600-1815: This little man was probably a European merchant who travelled to China. While he was there he visited a ‘face-maker’, a Chinese artist who made life-like figures. He might have sent this likeness of himself home to his family in the special box. If you were far from home, what gift would you send to your family? (09.12.2015)
  • Portrait figure of a Western merchant Painted clay on a bamboo armature, with lacquered wood case About 1710-1725(1987)
Summary
This figure is of a European merchant in the type of clothes worn from about 1700-1725. It comes with a wooden carrying case. Models of European and Chinese figures were popular trade items shipped from China to Europe in the 18th century. They decorated the interior of country houses.
Bibliographic reference
Clunas, Craig (ed.). Chinese Export Art and Design. London:Victoria and Albert Museum, 1987, fig. 1.
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
FE.32 to B-1981

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 createdApril 5, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O34820/figure-and-box-unknown/
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest