Ming Yongle Blue‑and‑White Porcelain Figure of Foreigner Presenting Treasure

拍品描述

Dimensions：H.17cm (6.69 Inches),15th Century Condition & Provenance：The porcelain figure is mostly complete,there are minor old chips and age‑related wear on figure fingertips and incense burner corners,plenty of tiny dirt spots scattered across glaze surface,blue pigment shows natural bleeding and flow,slight glaze flaking can be seen along base edge,the unglazed base is covered with thick old dirt and aged patina,no cracks,no restored or replaced parts.This item comes from a private San Diego,California collection,it was once owned by a well‑established local industrialist,purchased from a Paris antique gallery back in the 1960s,then kept within the same family for generations,stored mostly in private storage,rarely shown to public and never sold at auction. Description：This 15th‑century Ming Yongle blue‑and‑white porcelain sculpture of foreigner presenting treasure is a rare imperial‑studio decorative porcelain piece from early Ming dynasty.The whole piece consists of three parts:a kneeling foreigner figure,a three‑legged incense burner held aloft and a lotus‑petal molded base.The foreigner kneels down,wears a simple cap,his facial features including eyes,brows and beard are painted in underglaze blue with very lifelike expression.He wears a loose‑fitting robe,deep folds are carved naturally,large sections of robe are covered with blue wash,different shades of blue nicely show fabric texture.His right hand rests casually on knee,left hand lifts up a two‑handle three‑legged incense burner,the burner has classic old‑style shape with upright handles and sturdy legs fully painted blue.The wide round base is molded with layers of upward‑facing lotus petals,small flower details sit inside each petal,molding is sharp and three‑dimensional.The bottom is unglazed,porcelain body is off‑white with light grey tone,original kiln‑firing marks are visible under thick accumulated old soil stains.This sculpture uses early Ming imported smalt cobalt,rich deep‑blue color bleeds naturally,some dark iron spots pop up across the glaze.Glaze is smooth and glossy with soft faint bluish‑white undertone.Sculpting style is bold and realistic,gesture and facial mood feel really alive.The “foreigner presenting treasure” theme reflects cultural exchange during early Ming time.Figures like this from Yongle‑Xuande period are extremely hard to come by,it carries great sculptural,porcelain‑making and historical value,truly a desirable early Ming porcelain sculpture treasure.

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