What is this 'strange oriental figure'. Can anyone tell me more?

Discussion in 'Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain' started by JamesWon2, Feb 22, 2021.

  1. JamesWon2

    JamesWon2 New Member

    Hi everyone, I joined in an attempt to get help to identify some antiques I have, hopefully that is OK to do here.

    Can anyone provide further information on this?

    strange figure.PNG


    I can't see any markings or anything. All the figure body parts are porcelain I believe. I've checked under the dress and there's nothing there :O. One antique dealer described it as 'the strange Oriental figure', I'd love to know more.

    Thank you
     
  2. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    James, can you put your hand inside, is it a hand puppet?

    Welcome, btw.:)
     
    Figtree3, Firemandk and Houseful like this.
  3. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    VERY neat looking figure.....not that I know anything about them, but kind of makes me think it’s from an Oriental storytelling line....doesn’t look like the feet go much further apart either....as @Any Jewelry also suggested, if a hand fit inside the back, a couple of fingers would support what looks like a somewhat heavy head!! JUST thinking outside the “figure” here.............:rolleyes::cool:
     
    i need help and Houseful like this.
  4. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    Could it be the Chinese monkey king?
     
  5. JamesWon2

    JamesWon2 New Member

    Thanks Aquitaine & Any Jewelry,
    Oh cool, it is a hand puppet! I can in-fact get my fingers under the dress into the hole in the head :D :D And into each arm if I could bend my fingers in the right way. Didn't realise it was. Thanks

    Thanks Blooey, I just looked up the Chinese Monkey king. It does look monkey-ish and has a Crown. So it may be. Couldn't find any very similar puppets like it yet. But gives me something to look for, thanks.
    monkey king..PNG
     
  6. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    The footwear is also typically Chinese
     
  7. JamesWon2

    JamesWon2 New Member

    Thanks blooey. I also just asked in a Chinese restaurant if they knew anything. I didn't even know it was Chinese before. So, funny the directions are taking me somewhere :)
     
    Figtree3 likes this.
  8. JamesWon2

    JamesWon2 New Member

    His eyes lit up when I said 'puppet' I thought. Maybe they have some value.
     
  9. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    JamesWon2, Figtree3 and i need help like this.
  10. Figtree3

    Figtree3 What would you do if you weren't afraid?

    Very cool, @JamesWon2 . And welcome to Antiquers!
     
    JamesWon2 likes this.
  11. JamesWon2

    JamesWon2 New Member

    Thanks a lot blooey, that is a very interesting link.

    I read the section on 'Sun Wukong' or Monkey King. I learned his weapon of choice is a staff. The illustrated depiction on wikipedia shows one hand open and one closed holding a staff.
    170px-Xyj-sun_wukong.jpg

    The hand puppet has one hand open and one fist, but could be clenched to symbolise the holding of a staff.
    Right hand fist.PNG
    That is very interesting. And that together with the crown, and monkey face points towards a possible Monkey King hand puppet.....
    But what makes you say 'definitely Monkey King'. Maybe there aren't many other character choices, but I don't know too much about Chinese/oriental Mythology.
    Thank you
     
  12. JamesWon2

    JamesWon2 New Member

    Thanks Figtree :D
     
    Figtree3 likes this.
  13. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    Well, a "crowned" monkey in Chinese culture really can only be him.
    Here, he's in action ..

     
    JamesWon2 and Figtree3 like this.
  14. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Well those movies look rather awesome.
     
    JamesWon2 likes this.
  15. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    Take it from me, they are!

    This one's good too

     
    JamesWon2 and Figtree3 like this.
  16. Bookahtoo

    Bookahtoo Moderator Moderator

    Excellent!!!!
     
    blooey likes this.
  17. JamesWon2

    JamesWon2 New Member


    That is very good news.
    And thanks they do look awesome movies for sure.
    Very interesting character to read about.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted
Similar Threads: 'strange oriental
Forum Title Date
Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain Blue and White Chinese Porcelain Covered Hot Pot Or Oriental Ginger Jar? Nov 19, 2023
Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain Oriental Pot/Vase in need of identification Aug 25, 2023
Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain Does anyone recognise this pattern? French (?) Earthenware poonah / oriental style Jun 3, 2023
Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain Earthenware Small square Box Arabic Spanish Oriental..??? Apr 3, 2023
Pottery, Glass, and Porcelain Oriental vase Mar 12, 2023

Share This Page