Antique Chinese Mudman: Reader in Teal and Blue with Open Book, early 1900s

This mudman features a person in robes holding open a book, which represents wisdom, learning and scholarly pursuits. His face and hands are unglazed, the robes and book richly glazed with variations in color as is common with antique mudmen. Among the intricate details to this piece, if you look under the book, you will see a ring on one finger.
 
He has a sticker on the back of his robe which reads MADE IN CHINA (upside down), confirming he was probably purchased on one of the Burr sisters’ visits to China in the 1920s or 1930s.
 
Known for their intricate details, a Chinese mudman is a miniature, handmade, brightly glazed figurine depicting scholars, wise men, and everyday people, often holding objects. Antique ones often have exposed, unglazed clay for the face, hands and feet. They originated in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) as figures in miniature landscapes and bonsai arrangements. They were popular export pieces in the early 1900s, especially those created in Shiwan. They often symbolize concepts like wisdom, harmony, prosperity, and good fortune. They are collectible and considered good fortune, often displayed in Chinese homes.
 
Authentic antique Mudmen figurines often bear export stamps, required by the USA from 1920. From 1920-1940s, these were impressed in the clay on the bottom, often with rectangular or square borders, reading MADE IN CHINA. The Viet Potter has an excellent blog post for collectors on how to identify authentic antique mudmen and how to care for them.
 
Signs of age on this piece include a crack in the side of the ceramic piece, and a crack inside the robe as shown in photos. He also has glaze on the hollow base, making him a bit unbalanced.
 
Bonus: He will come with a same size companion, similarly dressed in grey and blue, holding a lotus bud with leaf and stem. He is free as his head has cracked off. We leave it to the buyer to restore or toss…
 
Approx. H 4 5/8” x L 1 3/8” x D 1 7/8”
3.56 oz (101g)
 
Disclaimer: We have tried to make sure colors shown in photos are representative of the real colors of each item. We have tried to identify all imperfections in descriptions, but we may have missed some. If you are unhappy with your purchase, let us know.