A terracotta sancai glazed buddha on its stand, Wanli period, 16th century

An exceptional three-color enamelled terracotta Buddha (sancaï) holding an alms bowl, on its original base with mandorla, dated on the mandorla with an inscription in kaishu characters in relief (regular script) which can be translated as follows: " Manufactured on the 10th of the Fifth month of the year XII (1584) of the Wanli era ", Wanli period, 16th century.

It is very rare to be in the presence of Chinese glazed terracotta from the Ming dynasty dated as is the present case. In addition it is a complete temple figure since the Buddha which is removable has been preserved until our time with its original base and its mandorla or sacred flame (PRABHAVALI) also removable. The yellow color of Buddha here refers to the color of the emperor, imperial yellow.

The whole constitutes at the same time an exceptional object on the artistic and religious plan and of certain documentary value on the little known art of Chinese enamelled terracotta from the Ming dynasty.