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Lot Essay
Chinese nodding-head figures are documented in England and Continental Europe as early as the 1760's and 1770's and Zoffany's famous portrait depicting Queen Charlotte in her Dressing Room at Buckingham Palace painted in 1764 shows two such figures in the background (see C. Saumarez Smith, Eighteenth Century Decoration, New York, 1993, p. 255, fig. 246).
Nodding-head figures were imported into England, Europe and America from Canton in large numbers from the 1780's. The fashion for such types of figurines in England was largely due to the pronounced predilection of the Prince of Wales (later George IV) in the late 18th and early 19th century. The Prince Regent's interest in Chinese decoration was reflected first in the decoration of his Chinese Drawing Room at Carlton House, whilst the Oriental interiors at Brighton Pavilion further illustrated his fascination for all things exotic.
A number of Chinese figures of this type were prominently displayed in the corridor of the Pavilion (see J. Morley, The Making of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Boston, 1984, pp. 169-176).
A closely related pair of Chinese nodding figures of comparable proportions was sold, 'Regence to Fabergé: an apartment by Ned Johnson', Christie's, London, 20 May 2010, lot 70 (£25,000 with premium).
Nodding-head figures were imported into England, Europe and America from Canton in large numbers from the 1780's. The fashion for such types of figurines in England was largely due to the pronounced predilection of the Prince of Wales (later George IV) in the late 18th and early 19th century. The Prince Regent's interest in Chinese decoration was reflected first in the decoration of his Chinese Drawing Room at Carlton House, whilst the Oriental interiors at Brighton Pavilion further illustrated his fascination for all things exotic.
A number of Chinese figures of this type were prominently displayed in the corridor of the Pavilion (see J. Morley, The Making of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, Boston, 1984, pp. 169-176).
A closely related pair of Chinese nodding figures of comparable proportions was sold, 'Regence to Fabergé: an apartment by Ned Johnson', Christie's, London, 20 May 2010, lot 70 (£25,000 with premium).