Dehua Jiyaun Art Apsara Sculpture Voice of Tiantu- Ji Qing Pipa C 1995

Details

Description

A large (19 in tall) white Dehua porcelain figurine depicts a Dunhuang-style Apsara, or heavenly nymph (apsaras) from the Buddhist … Read more A large (19 in tall) white Dehua porcelain figurine depicts a Dunhuang-style Apsara, or heavenly nymph (apsaras) from the Buddhist murals of the ⁠Dunhuang Mogao Caves, dancing while playing a pipa behind her back. This pose is the iconic “playing the pipa behind the back" (Fanti Pipa) dance pose. The signature ribbons (pibo) and garments flow seamlessly around her body, creating a sense of weightless, celestial flight.

The sculpture is handcrafted from premium Dehua white porcelain (historically known in Europe as Blanc de Chine or "China White") and was produced by the artists at the Dehua Jiyuan Art studio in Fujian Province, China, circa 1995. The sculpture exhibits the classic attributes of high-grade Dehua clay: a smooth, flawless matte or lustrous finish resembling white jade. The glaze is called "lard-white" (zhuyoubai).

There are three impressed marks on the back of the lotus base. Reading from left to right:
⦁ The Circular Emblem: This is the official studio logo of the Dehua Jiyuan Art collective, acting as a modern brand trademark for their certified porcelain line.
⦁ The Square Seal Mark (Center): This reads 「敦煌印象」 (Dunhuang Impression) in clean, modern script. This indicates that the statue belongs to an exclusive, award-winning regional cultural art collection themed around the historic Buddhist cave murals of Dunhuang.
⦁ The Larger Studio Seal (Right): This reads 「德化瓷艺」 (Dehua Porcelain Art) in traditional Zhuanshu (seal script) style characters. It serves as the official geographic kiln verification, proving the item was formulated and fired natively in Dehua County using authentic local white clay.

Provenance: From the estate of Dr. Andres Onate, former Dean of East Asian Studies at the University of Arizona. Dr. Onate served in China for the US State Department in the early 1980s and again in the mid-1990s. This sculpture was presented to him as a gift upon his departure.

MEASUREMENTS
19 in (48.3 cm) tall x 7 ½ in (19.0 cm) wide x 5 ½ in (14.0 cm) deep. Weighs 3 lbs 8.4 oz.

CONDITION
The sculpture is in excellent condition. One peg of the pipa broke off and was repaired. There are no other breaks or repairs.

A striking example of modern Dehua artistry, this elegant Apsara beautifully captures the timeless grace of Dunhuang Buddhist culture and will make an impressive centerpiece for any collection of fine Chinese porcelain. See less