Bisque Porcelain Oriental Figures - Antique and Fine China Query

by Vitaly
(US)

Bisque Porcelain Oriental Figures - Antique and Fine China Query:- Hi, I found a pair of unmarked bisque figurines in a flea market, that seem to me remarkable. I am now trying to find out what they are, but without much success. Maybe you could kindly point me in the right direction?

The pictures and description are here:

http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/group/whadjafind/forum/topics/a-pair-of-bisque-figurines-1

Thanks a lot!

Vitaly


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Reply by Peter (admin)

to: 'Bisque Porcelain Oriental Figures' - Antique and Fine China Query

Hi Vitaly

Thanks for your interesting query. I have to agree with you about the remarkableness of these pair of figures. I am curious as to the flea market you picked them up at and what price you paid!?

I don't know too much about Oriental wares, if that's what they are, but I do know about sculpting. Visitors to this page should follow your link to look at them more closely.

I have to say, these sculpts were not done by an average sculptor. They were done by somebody who really knows their art - with an observant eye and a masterful hand. The hands on a sculpt tell all about the skill of the artist. On these figures the hands are superb.

Sculpting like this goes back to a bygone era when training was longer, more intense and when skills had been passed down through generations of artisans. The only artists which match this level of skill today are the 'fantasy artists' of the 'comic book' genre. In the porcelain manufacturing industry today, there is simply not enough 'bottom line' to pay for skills that are this time consuming and difficult to acquire. My skills are good, but not as good as the artist who did this work.

The odd thing about these figures is that although they are Oriental in subject matter, I would wager good money that they were not sculpted by an oriental artist. Something about the features suggests European, not Asian references. They seem to be European pastiches of 'Oriental folk'.

I would love to know more about the background of these wonderful figurines.

Identifying obscure pottery marks and items of this nature is a very specialist area and often needs expert input.

Best regards

Peter (admin)

p.s. The following page is a 'must see' if you are researching fine china - for value and identification:-

Researching the identity and value of antique and vintage fine china.