Statuette

Art Historical Context

This charming statuette, standing just 10¾ inches tall, captures a male figure from 17th-century China, during the late Ming dynasty (8–1644) the early years of the Qing dynasty (4–1911). Crafted from mud—probably low-fired earthenware—this modest sculpture exemplifies the everyday artistry of the period, when China navigated a turbulent transition from native Han rule to Manchu dominance under the Qing. Such small-scale works were often produced for domestic altars, tombs, or as protective talismans, reflecting the era's blend of Confucian reverence and folk spirituality. The use of mud as a...