Large celadon-glazed stoneware subject, China, 18th century

A significant glazed stoneware figure depicting a standing Chinese sage, dressed in a long robe with ample, deeply modeled folds. He holds a shoe in his hands, an attribute referencing a well-known episode from Chinese tradition.

The figure features an expressive face with stylized, refined features, framed by a hairstyle concealed beneath a wide-brimmed hat that terminates in a scroll. The treatment of the garment, characterized by broad, fluid, and dynamic folds, demonstrates a particularly sophisticated level of modeling. The silhouette possesses a subtle sense of animation, with the robe appearing to ripple in response to the movement of the figure's arm.

The sculpture is covered in a green-gray celadon glaze, displaying nuances of aquamarine and gray. Variations in tone, deeper in the recesses and lighter on the raised surfaces, accentuate the modeling and highlight the sculptural craftsmanship. This crackled celadon glaze was highly sought after in the decorative arts of the 18th century.

The figure rests upon an elaborate 18th-century base made of chased and gilded bronze. Featuring a dynamic, undulating form, the base is adorned with rocaille ornamentation, composed of scrolls, coils, and foliate motifs.

The iconography of the shoe likely refers to the legend of Zhang Liang and the sage Huang Shigong. According to tradition, the elderly hermit Huang Shigong intentionally dropped his shoe at the foot of a bridge and asked the young Zhang Liang to pick it up and return it to him. By thus testing his patience and humility, the sage eventually imparted to him invaluable teachings on military strategy. This episode became a traditional theme in Chinese art, symbolizing wisdom, the transmission of knowledge, and respect for one’s master.

The piece presented here embodies this profound wisdom with striking grandeur. Its celadon hue lends a sense of tranquility, while the gilt-bronze mounts evoke a sense of ceremonial splendor.

Standing at 32 cm, this sculpture is exceptionally large for an antique Chinese piece made of glazed stoneware. The quality of its modeling, the uniqueness of its iconography—and, above all, its crackled, grey-green celadon glaze—make it an object of significant decorative appeal.

The combination of an antique Chinese sculpture with European gilt-bronze mounts reflects the 18th-century collector’s penchant for objects from the Far East.

A magnificent 18th-century work in glazed stoneware with gilt-bronze mounts.

Dimensions: Height 32 cm