Figurine thumbnail 1
Figurine thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Ceramics, Room 136, The Curtain Foundation Gallery

Figurine

ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

European prints and drawings were utilised as a source of designs for the manufacture of three-dimensional figures. This figure is recognised as Madame de Maintenon but there is no evidence for this association. The figure is more likely to have been copied from costume prints by the Bonnart Brothers in Paris around 1650-1670. Due to Chinese potter's unfamiliarity with European features the figure retains slightly Asian facial characteristics while her clothing appears caricatured. Despite her naively rendered form the figure was still considered as 'exotic' item and was very popular as a decorative piece in European homes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Porcelain painted with overglaze enamels
Brief description
Figure of european woman, porcelain painted with overglaze enamel colours; China (Jingdezhen), Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, ca. 1700
Physical description
Chinese porcelain figure of lady (Madame de Maintenon) in 18th century European dress, decorated with mainly famille verte (green, yellow and black) enamel colours.
Dimensions
  • Female figure height: 22.6cm
  • Male figure height: 24.9cm
Styles
Credit line
Basil Ionides Bequest
Subjects depicted
Summary
European prints and drawings were utilised as a source of designs for the manufacture of three-dimensional figures. This figure is recognised as Madame de Maintenon but there is no evidence for this association. The figure is more likely to have been copied from costume prints by the Bonnart Brothers in Paris around 1650-1670. Due to Chinese potter's unfamiliarity with European features the figure retains slightly Asian facial characteristics while her clothing appears caricatured. Despite her naively rendered form the figure was still considered as 'exotic' item and was very popular as a decorative piece in European homes.
Associated object
Bibliographic references
  • Lu p.138
  • Chinese ceramic figures : catalogue of an exhibition held by the Oriental Ceramic Society from April 8th to June 21st, 1947, London : The Society, 1948 91
Collection
Accession number
C.109A-1963

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Record createdJuly 15, 2002
Record URL
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