This "table-top" ceramic sculpture depicts the court official Kuan Chung also called Kuan Ti and Kuan Yu. Kuan is the general whose legendary exploits during the Three Kingdoms period (221-265) brought order out of the chaos caused by the collapse of the Han dynasty in 221. He was eventually deified as the patron deity of literature but was most commonly worshiped as the god of war, protector against strife and evil.
Shown seated on a low-backed arm chair wearing an official dragon robe, court hat, and ceremonial girdle, the dignitary appears with calm resolute expression.
Tz'u-chou pottery sculpture is relatively uncommon and the large scale and unusual palette of green, blue and aubergine enamels seen here is extremely rare. The Tz'u-chou kilns of North China were exceptionally innovative and this figurine is an important early example of the overglaze enamel decoration.
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<P>This "table-top" ceramic sculpture depicts the court official Kuan Chung also called Kuan Ti and Kuan Yu. Kuan is the general whose legendary exploits during the Three Kingdoms period (221-265) brought order out of the chaos caused by the collapse of the Han dynasty in 221. He was eventually deified as the patron deity of literature but was most commonly worshiped as the god of war, protector against strife and evil. </P><P>Shown seated on a low-backed arm chair wearing an official dragon robe, court hat, and ceremonial girdle, the dignitary appears with calm resolute expression.</P><P>Tz'u-chou pottery sculpture is relatively uncommon and the large scale and unusual palette of green, blue and aubergine enamels seen here is extremely rare. The Tz'u-chou kilns of North China were exceptionally innovative and this figurine is an important early example of the overglaze enamel decoration.</P>
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