IMAGE DETAILS

Lemaire

Japanese porcelain statuette
Representation of a Bijin ('beautiful lady')
Imari decoration of cherry blossoms and gilt bronze for various elements
Arita 1690-1730 for the porcelain and 18th century for the gilt bronze
H 42.5 cm

The statuette was transformed in the 18th century with a removable head that moves gently on a pivot like the Buddha in Meissen porcelain. It holds a chased bronze parasol in its left hand and stands on a gilded bronze gadrooned base.
An identical but larger figure in the collection of Charles III, AYERS (J.), Chinese and japanese Works of art in the collection of Her Majesty the Queen, t. II, p. 686.