Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Laughing Boy Figure Qing Circa 1800 Ruyi

Chinese famille rose porcelain figure of a laughing boy, Qing dynasty, circa 1800.

The boy stands smiling with open mouth, holding a coral-red ruyi sceptre in one hand and a fruiting persimmon branch in the other. The branch has applied leaves and fruit in relief. Together the ruyi and persimmons form the auspicious rebus "shishi ruyi", meaning "may all things go as you wish".

He wears a blue-ground robe decorated with raised enamel chrysanthemum roundels on white scrolling foliage, with a dark belt and yellow-framed buckle. The lower robe has a lotus and cloud-collar border above multicoloured pleated panels. His head is painted with a fringe and a fruit motif at the crown. The sleeves are hollow with yellow cuffs, and there are two vent holes to the back. The base is unglazed.

A closely comparable figure, catalogued as Qing dynasty circa 1800, was sold at Bukowskis, Stockholm.

Height: 20cm

Condition: A professionally restored break runs across the upper body, from the neck across the chest and around the back. The repair is neat but visible on close inspection (see photos). There is enamel wear consistent with age, including to the belt and the crown of the head, where there is crazing. There are minor losses and frits to the applied leaves and branch. There is dirt and discolouration to the unglazed base. Please view all photos, as they form part of the description.

Well packed and posted. Please ask any questions before bidding.