A Pair of Chinese Export Nodding Head, painted plaster figures Probably Canton, mid 18th century - Photo Sotheby's

each in exotic robes and holding a gilt-metal vase; 35.5cm. high; 1ft. 2in. Estimation: 25,000 - 30,000 GBP

LITTERATURE: Illustrated in the Exhibition catalogue, ` A Tale of Three Cities, Canton, Shanghai & Hong Kong, ' Sotheby`s 1997, p.146, fig. 18.

NOTE DE CATALOGUE: A group of related painted clay figures in the collection of the Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, is illustrated in Carl Crossman, Decorative Arts of the China Trade, 1998, p.317, pl. 112.

The largest collection known of figures of this type is in Sweden at the Drottningholm Palace and in 1777 over a hundred were recorded there called `China dolls' and were collected to provide an authentic view of Chinese life, with many representing artisans in various occupations.

A number of similar but larger figures which were bought by the Prince Regent for the Brighton Pavilion are recorded in early engraved views of its interiors (see Crossman op. cit., p.318).

Sotheby's. Arts of Europe. London | 04 déc. 2012 www.sothebys.com