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

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?




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

 

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

Welcome, btw.

 

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.............

 

Could it be the Chinese monkey king?

 

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 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.

 

The footwear is also typically Chinese

 

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

 

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

 

It is definitely Monkey King, part of the "journey to the west" story

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West

 

Very cool, @JamesWon2 . And welcome to Antiquers!

 

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.


The hand puppet has one hand open and one fist, but could be clenched to symbolise the holding of a staff.

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

 

Thanks Figtree

 

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

 

Take it from me, they are!

This one's good too

 

That is very good news.
And thanks they do look awesome movies for sure.
Very interesting character to read about.