A 'BLANC-DE-CHINE' FIGURE OF DOUMU, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

seated with eighteen arms holding various ritual implements including a sun and moon, vase, rosary, lotus, axe and scroll, wearing loosely draped robes open at the chest to reveal a beaded lotus pendant and a shawl which falls down from the shoulders, the face with gentle smile, the hair drawn into a high chignon encircled by a diadem centred with Amitabha Buddha and with elaborate beaded pendants dressing the long plaits, all supported on a lotus base elevated on a hexagonal base with bracket feet, supporting dragons pursuing 'flaming pearls' among foaming waves, the back impressed with a square mark reading puji yuren

Three hands finger tips chipped off; one hand with thumb tip chipped off; one hand finger tips repaired; tip of axe stick chipped off ; one lotus petal tip chipped off; firing cracks on underside of base; small vase restored in hand of centre right arm; small firing crack on some petals
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The mark translates as 'reaching all, even the fishermen' known as the 'Fisherman' mark, which is mainly found on figures

Doumu is the Mother of the Measure, her last name Dou is a homonym for the Chinese name of the constellation known as the Plough. She is also connected with the worship of the rice measure, or the measure of life and is said to have control of the books of life and death so is worshipped for longevity and wealth. The objects she holds have symbolic meanings, the lotus of perfection, the axe an ancient symbol of good luck, the vase of heavenly dew etc.

A similar figure is illustrated by P.J. Donnelly, Blanc de Chine, the Porcelain of Tehua in Fukien, London, 1969, pl. 99C; and compare with another in the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated by He Li, Chinese Ceramics, Cat no. 681