Standing Meiren (Chinese Beauty) with Flower Basket and Lingzhi
Decorative Art, Polychrome Ceramic Figurine • Jingdezhen workshops
Style & Movement
Qing Dynasty export style with famille rose (fencai) palette
Medium & Technique
Porcelain with famille rose and iron-red enamels, hand-painted overglaze and gilding
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th Century (Late Qing Dynasty to Republic Period)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12-16 inches (30-40 cm) in height; vertical figural format
Subject Description
A graceful standing female figure (meiren) holding a basket of flowers and a lingzhi (fungus of immortality), symbolizing longevity and prosperity. She stands on a rocky or cloud-like base next to a deer, another longevity symbol. Her attire consists of traditional Chinese robes decorated with floral patterns and a wide-brimmed hat.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. There is visible wear to the overglaze enamels and gilding, and the base appears roughly finished or repaired.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $500 USD
Auction Estimate
$150 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Likely produced for the domestic Chinese market or as 'Canton' export ware. No visible labels or stamps are present in the image.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the continuation of traditional Chinese aesthetic values and porcelain production during the transition between the Imperial and Republic eras. Such figures were popular as decorative auspicious icons.
Notable Features
Features a distinctive combination of turquoise-blue ground with iron-red accents and a delicate pink rose-form flower in the basket; the presence of the deer adds significant symbolic weight to the piece.
Condition Issues
Abrasion of gold leaf on the hat and lingzhi; potential loss or firing crack near the hand/basket; surface dirt; visible wear on the base colors; possible structural stabilization at the foot.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning with non-abrasive methods; display in a glass case to prevent dust accumulation; avoid direct sunlight which can degrade certain lead-based enamels over long periods.