Bust of an Emperor. Stoneware, with applied decoration, cream slip and iron-brown painting. North China 中國北部. Ming dynasty, about AD 1368–1500. On loan from Sir Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art. PDF 319 © Trustees of the British Museum

Height: 213 mm. Cizhou-type stoneware figure, the bust of an emperor, with a hollow interior. The figure is cream, with the features painted in brown. There is an inscription on the back.

This bust is inscribed in iron-brown 大宋光宗皇帝 (Da Song Guangzong Huangdi ‘ Emperor Guangzong of the Song dynasty’). Emperor Guangzong was a Southern Song emperor who was born as 趙惇 Zhao Dun. He ruled between AD 1189 and 1194. It is unclear why this stoneware bust was made. 

Bibliographic reference: Hobson, Robert L, A Catalogue of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain in the Collection of Sir Percival David Bt., F.S.A., London, The Stourton Press, 1934Hobsob, Robert L, A Catalogue of Chinese Pottery and Porcelain in the Collection of Sir Percival David Bt., F.S.A., London, The Stourton Press, 1934

Medley, Margaret, Illustrated Catalogue of Ting and Allied Wares, London, University of London, Percival David Foundation of Chinese Art, School of Oriental and African Studies, 1980