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Shiwan Figure in the Spotlight

Late 19th Century Man Holding Child, 12" Tall

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"Shiwan art does not stand apart from the common people, as do many works from the better known kilns of Dehua and Jingdezhen, as perfected sytylized intellectual objects. Possibly that is one reason why the Shiwan products have rarely been appreciated by the scholars and intelligentsia. Perhaps this deficit can be rectified by accepting the work for what it is rather than be invidious comparisons against classical art. It speaks its own message and that is unique"

Olaf K. Skinsnes






Author Topic: Chinese Mudman Stamped Marks Dating  (Read 175 times)

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GeorgeI

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Chinese Mudman Stamped Marks Dating
« on: May 27, 2021, 12:57:48 pm »
Imports into the states had to have the point of origin plainly stamped, so the pottery stamps can actually date the piece.  If a mud figure has an indentation or a black or red stamp with "CHINA" (sometimes the "N" is backwards) or "HONG KONG", then it is from c. 1890 - 1919.  Those figurines stamped with "MADE IN CHINA" or "MADE IN HONG KONG" date from c. 1920 - 1944.  Occasionally you'll find "MADE IN CHINA" or "CHINA" stamped in red ink, dating from the late 1940s.   Those that only show the "CHINA" in red ink from the late 1940s should have been stamped "MADE IN CHINA" and are few in number and may simply be a result of improper stamping (only part of the stamp being placed against the edge).  From 1952 on, the mud figures have a stamp and a number.

Occasionally you'll come across a mud man with no markings.  Travelers or missionaries to the orient would purchase the mud figures at local markets and carry them home. These were not stamped, because they were not for importation.

« Last Edit: May 27, 2021, 12:59:23 pm by GeorgeI »
George

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