Lot 373 , A Chinese blanc-de-chine figure of Budai, 19th century, H. 14cm including hongmu stand

A Chinese blanc-de-chine figure of Budai, 19th century, seated and holding a peach in his right hand, H. 14cm including hongmu stand
Estimate £200-300

Provenance - The Pestalozzi International Foundation collection of Tibetan thangkas, Buddhist figures and ritual objects.

In 1947, the British Pestalozzi Children's Village association was founded by Dr Henry Alexander - a German, Jewish, refugee who moved to the UK before the Second World War - and Mrs Mary Buchanan - a British sociologist. In 1959 the organisation opened a 170 acre property in Sedlescombe, East Sussex to house and educate children from displaced persons camps in Europe at the end of World War II.
In 1963, twenty-two Tibetan students, along with their house parents, arrived at the village. In 1967/68 saw the last of the European students at Pestalozzi and from that point students from Tibet, India and Nepal - amongst other countries - began to arrive. The Tibetan children and their house parents rescued Buddhist thangkas (paintings) and relics from the local temples during the upheavals of the 1960s which are included in this sale. The collection also includes Buddhist figures of deities from China, Burma and Thailand. The funds raised will help Pestalozzi to continue to offer educational scholarships to children from under-privileged countries.

There is a tiny glaze loss to the robes next to his left shoulder. There are minor scratches to the glaze. The stand has a few cracks and edge chips and area of filler to the top.


Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Gorringes Conditions of Sale.

Sold for £180