Statues of Chinese dignitaries crafted from terracotta, featuring glazes in green and ocher, are set on rectangular bases. The wide-sleeved robes and craftsmanship, along with the cylindrical flat hats with detachable head, indicate their Chinese origin, specifically from the Ming Era.
Period: Ming Dynasty
Medium: Green-glazed Pottery
Type: Figure
Provenance : Acquired in early 2000s from Hongkong
* Ming Dynasty Glazed Pottery Figures
Ming Dynasty glazed pottery figures are renowned for their bold color palette, intricate detailing, and lifelike forms, distinguishing them from earlier traditions. These figures, which depict officials, warriors, animals, and mythical creatures, are characterized by high-gloss lead-based glazes in green, amber, ochre, and sancai (three-color) combinations. The thickly applied glaze pools in recesses, creating depth and enhancing sculptural details. With dynamic postures, expressive facial features, and meticulously rendered drapery, these figures reflect the period’s advancement in ceramic craftsmanship, offering a greater sense of movement and realism compared to the rigid and stylized forms of earlier dynasties.
A defining characteristic of Ming glazed pottery is its elaborate surface detailing, often achieved through raised relief elements and contrasting glazes. Equestrian figures, for example, feature carefully sculpted saddles, harnesses, and decorative embellishments, while human figures are adorned with intricate robes and headdresses. The large scale of these tomb figures, often more imposing than those from previous periods, underscores the increasing importance of funerary art during the Ming era. Unlike later Qing Dynasty figures...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Ming Antique Hong Kong Figurative Sculptures