A PAIR OF SANCAI FIGURES OF PERSIAN AMBASSADORS, LATE MING DYNASTY
China, 16th - 17th century. Well modeled in mirror image, each standing on a shaped base holding a tributary vase in both hands, wearing elaborate robes secured with a belt and carved with floral and foliate designs, high boots, and tall caps. Their faces with curling mustaches and bushy eyebrows, their mouths agape. (2)


Provenance:
From an Italian private collection. Each with an old label to the base inscribed in Italian, ‘Sancai (three color) pottery. Ming period (1368-1644). Candle holder - Turk with vase (180).’

Condition:
Expected old wear and firing flaws, small losses, few cracks, some glaze flaking, as well as minor old repairs and touchups. Please request a video of the present lot taken under strong blue light for more details.

Weight: 2,923 g and 2,898 g
Dimensions: Height 44.3 cm and 43.9 cm


Throughout Chinese history
, tributary states and tribes were required to periodically send their ambassadors to the Imperial court and pay tribute with valuable gifts. Drawings and paintings with short descriptions were used to record the tribute of these ambassadors and to document cultural aspects of these ethnic groups. Descriptions were written alongside these portrayals, which became later highly valued as historical sources regarding the international relations between China and the rest of the world. The Portraits of Periodical Offering of Liang was painted by the soon to be Emperor Yuan of Liang, Xiao Yi (ruled 552-555 AD) of the Liang dynasty while he was a governor of the Jingzhou province as a young man between 526-539 AD, a post he held again between 547-552 AD. During his time as governor, he had the opportunity to meet many foreigners. One of his paintings depicts a
Persian ambassador
and likely served as the inspiration for these two figures.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Galerie Zacke, Vienna, 15 October 2021, lot 194
Price: EUR 15,168 or approx.
EUR 17,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare sancai roof tile depicting a Persian ambassador, late Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the similar headdress and curly hair typical of depictions of Persians. Note the size (49 cm).




明末一對三彩波斯人俑


中國, 十六至十七世紀。人俑造型精美，站在一個底座上，雙手拿著一個朝貢花瓶，穿著胡人外袍，用腰帶固定，上面刻有花卉和葉狀圖案，穿著高筒靴和高帽。臉上留著捲曲的鬍鬚和濃密的眉毛，嘴巴大張。 (2)


來源：
義大利私人收。底座有標籤，可見義大利語“三彩，明代，蠟燭台”字樣。

品相：
有磨損和燒製缺陷、小損失、少量裂紋、一些釉料剝落，輕微的舊修和補漆。請向我們索取在強藍光下拍攝的影片，以了解更多詳情。

重量：分別爲2,923克與 2,898克
尺寸：分別高 44.3 厘米與43.9厘米


縱觀中國歷史
，朝貢國和部落都被要求定期向朝廷派遣使者，並向朝廷進貢。帶有簡短描述的圖畫和繪畫被用來記錄這些使節的貢品，並記錄這些民族的文化。 這些描述後來成為有關中國與世界其他國家之間國際關係的歷史資料，受到高度重視。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：Galerie Zacke，維也納，2021年10月15日，lot 194
價格：EUR 15,168（相當於今日
EUR 17,000
）
描述：明末罕見三彩波斯人俑
專家評論：比較相似的髮飾和標準的波斯人捲髮。請注意尺寸 (49 釐米)。