A RARE WOOD FIGURE OF A FOREIGNER

18TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE WOOD FIGURE OF A FOREIGNER
18TH CENTURY
Probably depicting a Portuguese merchant or sailor with large nose, curly beard, mustache and brows and long curly hair shown seated in a relaxed pose with right elbow resting on his raised right knee and large head jutting forward, wearing a cloak tied in a bow in front over a loose jacket secured by a circular medallion, a shirt with ruffles at the wrists, pantaloons tucked into leather boots, and a brimmed hat surmounted by a large button and a feather, with a sash-tied bundle draped over his back, traces of dark red, red, green, blue, dark grey and black pigment
20½ in. (52 cm.) high, stand

Lot Essay

Probably depicting a Portuguese sailor or merchant, this rare figure, with his distinctive feathered hat, is similar in appearance to those depicted on Japanese 17th century screens. See the screen of circa 1630 date depicting the arrival of a Portuguese ship included in the exhibition, Encounters, The Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 2004, pp. 202 and 203, no. 16.1, and the screen in the same exhibition, dated to 1674, pp. 208 and 209, no. 16.6, detail on p. 201. Compare, also, a figure of a foreigner with similar features including the curly beard and brows, and similarly attired except for a pointed hat, made of heavy grey-buff stoneware covered with a dull brown-black glaze illustrated by D. Howard and J. Ayers, China for the West, vol. 2, London and New York, 1978, p. 625, no. 656. Dated late 18th/19th century it shows the continuity of trade between China and Europe, and the continuing fascination with foreigners.

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