Kangxi Blanc de Chine Porcelain Seal c.1700.

 

A Miniature Kangxi Blanc de Chine porcelain monkey topped seal c.1680-1710. The female monkey is moulded. The four character seal can be translated as “think in others shoes and try to understand” thanks to Mr Justin Li for the translation.

Condition
in perfect condition.
Size
Height : 3.2 cm (1 1/4 inches)
Provenance
N/A
Stock number
24378
References
See : Oriental Export Market Porcelain and its Influence on European Wares (Geoffrey A. Godden, Granada, 1979.ISBN 0246110570) page 272, plate 200. Information from Godden`s book ; The records of the Dashwood sale in September 1703, an English Supra-cargo, include 10,800 `square toys` (seals), the other 5,400 `toys` were models of animals, `men on beasts` and the 490 `small white dogs` were priced at 1d each. For similar seal from Hinkley in the Collection See : Blanc de Chine Porcelain from Dehua (Rose Kerr and John Ayers, Art Media Resources Ltd, 2000. Item 63). For another similar blanc de chine example see : Blanc de Chine (P.J. Donnelly, Faber and Faber, 1969) Illustration 67. For a further blanc de chine seal with a monkey on top see our `Sold Items` number 17292 and 23416.

Photos

Information

Blanc de Chine seals can be found left as blanks, moulded or engraved.

Monkey / Hou :
Like some many Chinese symbols the Monkey Hou is related to its meaning by word association. Hou is written and pronounced in the same way as the word for a high ranking noble, similar to a Marquis in the West. As a result monkeys are symbol of high rank, they are often shown carrying a peach to symbolise longevity. The monkey is also one of the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac