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