Figure group of a Dutch pair, porcelain decorated in polychrome enamels and gilt, China, Qing dynasty, late 18th century

Figure group of a Dutchman and woman, porcelain decorated in polychrome enamels and gilt. The man stands beside the woman with his right arm round her shoulders, and offers her a pipe with his left. He wears a long black coat and green waistcoat, black leggings and boots, and a three-pointed hat with flat top. She wears a red coat and green skirt and a blue cape, and holds a scarf in her left hand. They stand on a rectangular socle with pierced panels back and front and floral-moulded end panels, painted in red and turquoise blue.

Bequeathed by Basil Ionides

The model is somewhat smaller than the pair of C.97-1963, and the porcelain and enamels are of poorer quality.

Register

One of the most vivid visual records of the trade and cultural exchange between the Chinese on the one hand, and Western Europeans on the other, is provided by the ceramic sculptures and painted wares that each created depicting the other. These are sometimes loaded with cultural values and could be based on direct observation or prints.

This figure possibly derived from engravings of Dutch genre paintings, and was possibly made for domestic market for those curious about the characteristics of Europeans.

C.98-1963