A Kangxi Blanc de Chine Model of Guan Yu Ridding his Horse.

A Kangxi Blanc de Chine Model of Guan Yu, sometimes called Guandi, God of War, ridding his horse Chitu (Crimson Hare). Blanc de Chine Porcelain, made at Dehua in Fujian province, late Kangxi period c.1690-1720. This heavily potted Blanc de Chine model of the fearless God of War, was probably made for export to the West. It would not have been understood in England, except that it is a curiosity from a distant land. In China, the God of War was well known and the meaning of this group would have been understood by many people. The horse, which perhaps should be better described as a pony, with Guan Yu is a depiction of a real person. Guan Yu was a courageous fighter who died in January or February 220. His exploits during the late Han Dynasty were famous, his fame grow and grew after his death, culminating in important Chinese Classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms written in the 14th century and attributed to Luo Guanzhong. Blanc de Chine Models such as the present example were luted together from moulded sections. In 18th century England the people who carried out this process were called ‘repairers’, indeed the process is similar to repairing broken ceramics, except that you use clay as your glue. Wet clay was used to stick the leather-hard moulded sections together, the process is referred to as luting from the Latin Lutum meaning mud or clay. To help made sure the join will be as strong as possible the edges of the clay sections are scored, so the luting material really binds with the joining surfaces, especially when firm pressure is applied. The luted joins are then cleaned, smoothed down, so the piece looks seamless. SOLD See Below For More Photographs and Information.