Song Dynasty Hutian Kiln Qingbai-Glazed Pair of Lotus-Based Boy and Maiden Figures

拍品描述

Dimensions: Each figure: Height 20.8 cm (8.19 inches), maximum width 8.5 cm (3.35 inches) | Period: 12th-13th century | Song Dynasty | Condition and Provenance: Provenance: Originally owned by a private collector in Hong Kong, acquired from the Hong Kong antique market in the 1980s and held by the same family for decades. Condition: This pair of figures is in excellent condition, without cracks, repairs, or missing parts. The glaze is intact, and the lotus petals, hands, hairstyles, and other fine sculptural details remain sharp and clear. Natural soil deposits and dark mineral sediments are visible on the bare feet, consistent with the marks of long aging. Description: This pair of celadon porcelain figures from the Hutian Kiln depicts the traditional image of a boy and girl, elegantly standing on a double lotus pedestal in a balanced and symmetrical composition. The boy has a shaved head with only a single bun on top, his eyes slightly closed, his hands clasped together, holding a lotus bud. The young girl, with her hair styled in two buns adorned with flowers, respectfully holds a curled flower, her expression serene and tranquil. Both figures wear long, cross-collar robes with flowing sleeves, decorated with intricate ribbon knots, beads, and soft pleats, exuding elegance. The multi-layered lotus base symbolizes purity, peace, and auspiciousness, its hollow interior reflecting the traditional hollow-forming technique to reduce weight during firing. The entire porcelain statue is covered in the unique bluish-white glaze of the Hutian kiln, presenting a beautiful pale blue-green hue, with a translucent and crystalline glaze. Thinner layers of glaze on the edges of the robes, hair ornaments, and lotus petals subtly reveal the lighter-colored porcelain body beneath, creating subtle tonal variations and further enhancing the sculpture's three-dimensionality. The unglazed base reveals the distinctive reddish-brown porcelain body, bearing natural aging deposits and firing marks. These two figures were created using a segmented molding process and assembled before firing. The exquisite details of their robes, patterns, hairstyles, and lotus petals showcase the superb craftsmanship of Song Dynasty ceramic sculpture. The juxtaposition of the golden boy and jade maiden flower figures symbolizes prosperity, blessings, harmony, and the continuation of offspring, making this pair of complete porcelain figures outstanding representatives of Hutian Qingbai ceramic sculpture, possessing both artistic and historical value.

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