Antique Chinese Shiwan Pottery | Two Monkeys Holding a Peach
Dimensions: 3-1/4"w x 5-3/4"h
The two monkeys are shown climbing around a beautifully glazed form, one eating a peach and the other monkey gazes at the other sitting above the mottled and naturalistic rock base. Both figures are unglazed and beautifully detailed simulating the natural fur and long expressive tails. From cool natural clay to fabulous blue and black flambe’, the decorative glaze of this Shekwan figure is exceptional. The piece has the red seal, “CHINA” on the bottom, and indicates it was made between 1890-1919, after which time the mark changed. This piece is from the Estate of Rudolph Schaeffer, (1886-1988) who headed the School of Art & Design in Chinatown & Potrero Hill San Francisco which closed in 1984. He had an extremely large collection of Chinese artifacts, particularly Shiwan Art pottery. Because of its age and rarity, few are found in museums outside of China, and most are held in private collections in both that country and abroad.
Condition: Excellent meaning that the piece retains its original craft/workmanship showing a wonderful-developed patina commensurate which suggests a degree of wear that corresponds to its vintage and meets all the standards of the collectible Shiwan ware. The piece is void of damage, cracks, breakage, and repairs.
Additional Information: As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, ceramic wares have a long history reflecting the customs of this ancient culture. One of the most famous types of ceramic works is called Shiwan (Shekwan) ware, which has been the shining star in Chinese folk ceramic art as early as the Tang and Song Dynasties (618-906AD), and which flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Chinese Classical Shiwan ware is a type of traditional pottery that comes from the talented artists of a small town located in the south of China called Shiwan, in Foshan City, famous for its culture and pottery. Here craftsmen are well-known for their glazing techniques and unique forms. All the sculptural work is hand-formed, and sometimes involves numerous family members within a village, while directed by a master craftsman, every object is unique, and therefore, a limited edition, which attracts art collectors the world over. The three largest collections of Shiwan Art Pottery are housed in the Hong Kong Fung Ping Shan Museum, and the Chinese Cultural Centre in San Francisco.
Original Shiwan figurines, (1880-1940), are extremely rare because of their art/craftsmanship and their delicate, fragile nature. The greater the detailing, the more likely the figure has been made by a master artist, hence the higher value. Also the larger the piece the more valuable, (8-0” or pieces over 20.0” tall) are extremely rare. The age of Shiwan ware can be verified by the markings, or lack of markings, the fact that they are hand-formed, depicting highly expressive figural forms and vivid imagery; primitive in sculpting techniques; the decorative elements associated with the figure; the deep rich glazes infused with the piece; the type of regional clay (sandy, coarse clay is the oldest), and the stylistic differences. Travelers or missionaries to the Orient would purchase the mud figures at local markets and carry them home. These were not stamped, because they were not for importation, although you may find some pieces signed by the artist.
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