Revolutionary Terracotta Group
China, circa 1966
length: 31cm, width: 16.5cm, height: 27.5cm
This beautifully worked sculptural group of two female figures and
two male figures has been left unglazed. Each figure has been
skilfully formed by moulding and with later hand finishing - the
results are very life-like. The facial expressions are precise as are
the folds and creases in the clothing to denote posture and
movement. The central figure reads from a copy of the People's
Daily while the others listen intently.
The placard on the left has again in neatly impressed Chinese
characters four slogans: Study the Sixteen Sayings (presumably
Mao's); Publicise the Sixteen Sayings; Enact the Sixteen Sayings;
and Defend the Sixteen Sayings.
The arm band of the seated male figure on the right announces in
Chinese that the figure is a Red Guard.
The central figure reads a copy of The People's Daily from which
the central figure reads which has a headline in neatly impressed
Chinese characters to announce that the Chinese Communist
Party's Central Committee has decided to launch a Great Proletariat
Cultural Revolution.
Indeed, in May 1966, articles began to appear in Communist Party
newspapers that introduced the concept of a Great Proletariat
Revolution. In August Mao officially launched the Cultural
Revolution with a speech to the Central Committee of the
Communist Party. Later that month he put on a red arm band at a
mass meeting in Tiananmen Square to signify his empathy with the
Red Guards.
A placard attached to the back of the bag at the feet of the central
figure reds in Chinese: 'Chairman Mao's sayings - Be decisive;
Don't be afraid of sacrifice; Overcome all obstacles to gain victory.'
Overall, this is a both a stunning piece of artwork and an excellent
piece of Chinese political history. The condition is excellent - there
are no cracks and no chips to the figures. There is only some minor
fretting to the bottom edge of the base.
Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong in the 1960s.
Inventory no.: 600
China, circa 1966
length: 31cm, width: 16.5cm, height: 27.5cm
This beautifully worked sculptural group of two female figures and
two male figures has been left unglazed. Each figure has been
skilfully formed by moulding and with later hand finishing - the
results are very life-like. The facial expressions are precise as are
the folds and creases in the clothing to denote posture and
movement. The central figure reads from a copy of the People's
Daily while the others listen intently.
The placard on the left has again in neatly impressed Chinese
characters four slogans: Study the Sixteen Sayings (presumably
Mao's); Publicise the Sixteen Sayings; Enact the Sixteen Sayings;
and Defend the Sixteen Sayings.
The arm band of the seated male figure on the right announces in
Chinese that the figure is a Red Guard.
The central figure reads a copy of The People's Daily from which
the central figure reads which has a headline in neatly impressed
Chinese characters to announce that the Chinese Communist
Party's Central Committee has decided to launch a Great Proletariat
Cultural Revolution.
Indeed, in May 1966, articles began to appear in Communist Party
newspapers that introduced the concept of a Great Proletariat
Revolution. In August Mao officially launched the Cultural
Revolution with a speech to the Central Committee of the
Communist Party. Later that month he put on a red arm band at a
mass meeting in Tiananmen Square to signify his empathy with the
Red Guards.
A placard attached to the back of the bag at the feet of the central
figure reds in Chinese: 'Chairman Mao's sayings - Be decisive;
Don't be afraid of sacrifice; Overcome all obstacles to gain victory.'
Overall, this is a both a stunning piece of artwork and an excellent
piece of Chinese political history. The condition is excellent - there
are no cracks and no chips to the figures. There is only some minor
fretting to the bottom edge of the base.
Provenance: Acquired in Hong Kong in the 1960s.
Inventory no.: 600
