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Lot Essay
According to legend, the Tang emperor Ming Huang was saved from illness when Zhong Kui appeared in a dream and killed the fever demon. Zhong Kui has since appeared as the subject in a myriad paintings, works of art and porcelain designs as the 'demon queller'. Some depictions include playful demons, and some show Zhong Kui riding his donkey or resting with a cup of wine. As a protector and expeller of evil spirits, the image of Zhong Kui is traditionally used as a door god during Chinese New Year (a pair of images at the front door and a single figure at the back door), and during the Duanwu Festival.
This spectacular figure of Zhong Kui is remarkable for its massive size and the fine quality of the enameling and gilt decoration. The strength and confidence of the modeling and the dynamic stance is also particularly noteworthy. No other figure of this size and subject appears to have been published.
A smaller (16.8 cm. high) famille rose figural portrayal of Zhong Kui, shown sprawled drunkenly against wine pots and rockwork while still holding his wine cup, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 39 - Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 53, no. 44, where it is dated to the Kangxi period.
This spectacular figure of Zhong Kui is remarkable for its massive size and the fine quality of the enameling and gilt decoration. The strength and confidence of the modeling and the dynamic stance is also particularly noteworthy. No other figure of this size and subject appears to have been published.
A smaller (16.8 cm. high) famille rose figural portrayal of Zhong Kui, shown sprawled drunkenly against wine pots and rockwork while still holding his wine cup, is illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 39 - Porcelains with Cloisonne Enamel Decoration and Famille Rose Decoration, Hong Kong, 1999, p. 53, no. 44, where it is dated to the Kangxi period.