Lot 381

PAIR OF LARGE PORCELAIN TIGERS

Eastern China, approx. first half of the 20th century. A pair of very realistically crafted porcelain tigers with angry expressions, menacing jaws, bared fangs, and beautifully depicted stripes. These objects belong to a broader artistic movement known as "Cantonese stoneware," although this term covers a wide range of products from coarse stoneware to refined porcelain that rivals the luxury objects from the Dehua (Te-chua) region. One of the porcelain tigers is also signed with the mark of a kiln from the region, which was already famous during the Qing dynasty for the excellent craftsmanship of its products. One tiger is approximately 25 cm long, the other approximately 29 cm, and both are in excellent condition with only slight signs of age.