Antique! Chinese - Shiwan - Mudman - Hand-Made Glazed Ceramic Figurine

Antique! Chinese - Shiwan - Mudman - HAND-MADE Glazed Ceramic Figurine

Antique Chinese mudman figurine, brightly colored, lead-based glazes called majolica. The most common colors are black, yellow, brown, green and blue. The low-firing technique often produced crackle in the glaze (This one has crackle in the glaze). Newer kinds of mudmen have matte glazes that are very different. Even if they have a crackle in the glaze, the muted colors will tip you off that the figures are not antiques. Most antique figurines have charming faces of wizened old men. The eyes are usually just holes poked into the clay. Nearly all of them have white, flowing beards and bushy eyebrows. The more detailed the features of the face, the better. Pieces made by the most skilled artisans will have more detail and the face will look more lifelike (This one is very detailed including crows feet and other detail).
The oldest mudmen, made prior to 1890, will not have a stamp (This one doesn't), but you will be able to see evidence of the artisan's work. Since they were made by hand, you will see fingerprints in the clay, and indentations where the artisan's fingers pressed the clay into the molds (this one has visible fingerprints in the base). In the 1890s, the U.S. began requiring all imported goods to be marked with their country of origin. A figure with a mark of simply "China" or "Hong Kong" is from 1890 to 1919. From 1920 to 1951, the words "Made in..." were added to the mark. Stamps on figures made after 1952 also include a number.

MATERIAL : Glazed Ceramic
MARKINGS : No Stamp (prior to 1890)
SIZE : 15cm tall x 5cm wide

Please Note :The very tip of his beard has unfortunately broken off along with a strand or two of hair. However this is barely noticeable. 

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