8 June 2016 Russian Art and Photography Auctions
8 June 2016
* 314. An Articulated Faience Figurine of a Buddha
S. POSKHOCHIN FACTORY, ST PETERSBURG, MID 19TH CENTURY
5,000-7,000 GBP
Height 20.5 cm.
Realistically modelled, wearing an oriental white robe with floral patterns and mint-coloured edges, depicted seated in a meditational pose, with articulated head, tongue and hands, with an impressed manufactory mark.
A sense of the refinement and harmony of Chinese culture was an
integral part of the Rococo style in Europe. Richly coloured Chinese
lanterns, painted screens, silks, lacquer miniatures and porcelain
with stylised images of pagodas and dragons also came into fashion
in Russia, and the artisans at privately owned porcelain manufactories
duly mastered the art of “chinoiserie”. The range of
produced items included amusing Chinese dolls such as the
present lot – simple and gaily dressed figures with nodding
heads and even the ability to stick out their tongue.
The original model for this work is the Pagoda figurine
made at the Meissen factory in the early 1730s by Johann
K ndler. The German artist was supposedly attempting to reproduce
in porcelain an image of the blissfully smiling Buddha
on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Pagoda was taken
by K ndler as a general name, that was then used to describe
all early Meissen Chinese figurines. Typically, the head
and hands on this work are fixed with metal rods, bringing the
statuette to life.
These figures remained in high demand in the 19th century and were often treated as good-luck charms.
Their popularity is evident from frequent representation in paintings and drawings. Such is Meditation, a painting by the German
artist Conrad Kissel, where the artist carefully reproduces all the subtle nuances of a porcelain
Chinese doll.
Notes on symbols:
* Indicates 5% Import Duty Charge applies.
Ω Indicates 20% Import Duty Charge applies.
§ Indicates Artist's Resale Right applies.
† Indicates Standard VAT scheme applies, and the rate of 20% VAT will be charged on both hammer price and premium.