A vintage Chinese Shiwan Wucai (five-color) porcelain figurine of a court lady or noblewoman playing a traditional guqin zither.
The handcrafted ceramic sculpture features hand-painted floral robes with colorful overglaze enamel accents and an ornate headpiece adorned with yellow tassels and a pink floral accent. The background is unglazed showing the natural color of the clay.
The foot is decorated with a flower and two ovals with a stylized feather design placed where the soles of her feet rest above.
A red rectangular artist’s seal mark written in Seal Script (Zhuanshu) is located near the base on her right side. I believe the seal translates to “respectfully made”. This seal is commonly found on 20th-century porcelain figures or artworks to express that the item was produced with care and respect by the artisan or kiln.
This figure was purchased in China in the early 1990s.
MEASUREMENTS
7 in (17.8 cm) wide x 6 in (15.2 cm) deep x 10 in (25.4 cm) tall. Weighs 2 lbs. 10.5 oz.
CONDITION
The figure has no breaks, chips or repairs and its enamels are in fantastic condition. There is a bit of soiling around the bottom of the figure’s skirt.
A charming example of Shiwan Wucai craftsmanship, this expressive court lady combines colorful hand-painted decoration with the distinctive earthy character and artistry of vintage Chinese ceramic sculpture.