A pair of Chinese Export polychrome painted nodding head figures, Qing dynasty, early 19th Century.
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Depicting the male and his female companion in court robes and elaborate accessories. Height approx. 28 cm.
Chips, restored.
Exhibitions
Compare a pair sold at Bonhams, Roger Keverne Ltd. Moving on, lot 303, 11 May 2021, London, New Bond Street
Compare also a pair at Christies, Property from the Collection of A. Jerrold Perenchio, lot 93. Sept 2020, sale 17353.
Compare also; Chirsties, lot no 119. November 2021, sale 20770.
Literature
See a related figure of a standing Mandarin holding a halberd, 18th/19th century, illustrated by J. Ayers, Chinese and Japanese Works of Art in the Collection of Her Majesty the Queen, vol.3, London, 2016, p.927, no.2091.
See also a related pair of clay figures of a gentleman and lady, circa 1750, illustrated by D.S.Howard, A Tale of Three Cities, Canton, Shanghai and Hong Kong: Three Centuries of Sino-British Trade in the Decorative Arts, London, 1997, no.188.
More information
'Nodding head' figures were popular in the corridor of the Prince Regent's Pavilion at Brighton by 1815. In 1847-8, they were moved to Buckingham Palace. Similar figures can even be seen in Johan Zoffany's painting of Queen Charlotte's dressing room at Windsor in 1764.
