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I got this figure but it looks part human and part something???? When do think he was made and what is he? Thank you.



Link :Asian Figure

This type of figurine is called a mud man, though I'm not sure if it's Chinese. At first I thought this character was from a Chinese novel, "Journey to the West."

I was wondering if you see any pressed marks at the underside of this figure? Can you provide a photo of the whole figurine? Thanks.

Here are more picyures. Thank you for your help.

The glaze and clay make me think japanese. They have several legends and traditions of animal/human hybrids (Such as fox priests) suggest a japanese mythology website would be a good start

Pig. He is Zhu Bajie, a character in the lengthy episodic novel "Journey to the West", about the adventures of the Chinese monk who went to India to seek and bring back Buddhist scriptures. The monk was accompanied by a small posse of animal types, the most notable was the "monkey king". Zhu Bajie was one of the group also. Waley translated excerpts of the book as "Monkey". Anthony Yu translated the whole thing.

I believe you have an anthropomorphized monkey who's missing something he was once holding. The clay and glaze reminds me of the Chinese Shiwan kiln center near Guangzhou (Old Canton), home of the famous "mudmen" figurines. I get no impression regarding age from the photo.

You'll also find other Asian monkey images on sale out there, including things like this late 19th-early 20th century Japanese Hirado nodder, about three inches high, depicting a sambaso dancer. This dance came from Shinto ritual but was adapted into Noh performances.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Hey rat, while not wishing to debate your call of Zhu Bajie, should you ever invite me to dinner at your place, just forgive me please if I skip the pork chops. :)
Bill H.

no worries there, all we have on the menu is rat!

Thank you for the amazing information Bill. I am hoping he is 19th century where he has no marks. I am doing further research on him. If you can suggest any sites that would be excellent.

The Chinese Shiwan kilns at Foshan, near Guangzhou, almost certainly have produced sets of small figurines based on "Journey to the West" (Xi You Ji). However, I've found nothing relevant except a few figurines depicting Monkey King Sun Wukong in heroic martial poses. They contrast with your guy, who looks like he's about to relax with a pipe or cup of tea.

Here are some links, the first two of which turned up in a Google search for Shiwan monkeys offered via the major Mainland retailer alibaba.com. The third link is one of two Shiwan monkeys found on eBay, the other one being Sun Wukong in a martial pose.

http://www.china-cart.com/d.asp?d=16801

http://www.art-sam.com/shop/shiwan-ceramic-figurine-rare-exclusive-masterpiece-monkey-king-p-589.html

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Chinese-Foshan-Shiwan-Ware-Statue-Figurine-Monkey-w-Fruit-/151016184135?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2329441947#ht_305wt_1151

Good luck,

Bill H.

Wow! Thank you Bill! I very much appreciate all your help. Thinking it would be really nice to find the monkey from the Ebay listing..$$$. lol I think your first evaluation is very accurate. Thank you so much!

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