Shou Xing; China, Qing dynasty, c.1910.

Shou Xing; China, Qing dynasty, c.1910.
Blanc du Chine porcelain.
It shows wear on the hat and slight flaws.
Measurements: 15 x 20 x 12 cm.
Porcelain sculpture of Shou Xing the god of longevity, who was identified with the star Canopus. In art he is represented as an old man with a white beard, abundant eyebrows and a large bald head.
The piece is made of "China white" porcelain, an expression used in the West to refer to a Chinese porcelain with a very fine white coating, characteristic especially of the Ming and Ching periods. It is also called Dehua porcelain, as it is manufactured in Dehua in Fujian province. It has been produced from the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) to the present day. Large quantities reached Europe as Chinese export porcelain in the early 18th century and was copied in Meissen and elsewhere. It was also exported to Japan in large quantities.