Figure
Category
Ceramics
Date
1650 - 1700
Materials
porcelain
Place of origin
Dehua
Order this imageCollection
Wallington, Northumberland
NT 581739
Summary
Two figures of cockerels (cocks), porcelain, each bird stands with open beak on a wedge-shaped plinth, his tail feathers, legs, wings and cockscomb are moulded separately, and applied with slip before glazing and firing, with incised details, the open hollow underside of base with bar support; made in the Dehua kilns in Fujian province, China, circa 1650-1700.
Full description
In China, the cockerel is auspicious: the word "ji" (ji 雞) for cockerel is also a homophone (a word that sounds the same but has a different meaning) of "ji" (ji 吉) for good fortune. The cockerel is associated with the five virtues of literary spirit, warlike disposition, courage, benevolence, and faithfulness. In Europe it was a familiar farmyard animal, but because of its novelty, agents of the East India Companies imported them in great quantities, so they are frequently found in historic European collections. They were even copied in the Arita kilns in Japan, so widespread was their popularity.
Provenance
Gift from Sir Charles Philips Trevelyan 3rd Bt