Kuan Ti, God of War, Seated Ming Porcelain Figure, Antique Plate, 1911

An original antique color plate from Chinese Porcelain and Hard Stones, London, 1911, this sheet shows a seated figure of Kuan Ti, the god of war. The flesh and chain armor are gilt, the robes are fastened with tiger head clasps, and the apple green robe is painted with dragons in clouds. A flowered shagreen cape rests on green shark-skin bands around the armor. Gorer and Blacker describe it as Ming period and record it in the collection of S. E. Kennedy, Esq.; height 12 3/4 inches (33 cm), width 8 1/2 inches (22 cm).

Edgar Gorer and J. F. Blacker brought out Chinese Porcelain and Hard Stones in 1911 through Bernard Quaritch, the New Bond Street bookseller, in an edition of one thousand numbered copies. The two volumes carry two hundred and fifty four color plates, each a full page photographic reproduction of a single piece or group, with a tissue guard and a facing description in English and French. The plates are color collotypes, and the book records that it was produced and printed by the Menpes Printing and Engraving Company of London and Watford.

The plates were made while large collections of Chinese porcelain were being formed in Britain and America, and the text names the collections that held many of the pieces illustrated, among them those of P. A. B. Widener, George Salting and Richard Bennett.

Even age toning. A few small foxing spots in the margin. Slight wear at the bottom left corner.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.