201.
A ‘FAMILLE VERTE’ GROUP WITH A BOY ON QILIN
Qing dynasty, Kangxi period, early 18th century
24,5 cm high
Provenance: Naples, Villa della Floridiana, Museo Duca di Martina, Placido de Sangro (1829-1891) collection.
inv. n. 3870.
The qilin is a very popular animal of Chinese mythology. It is depicted as a quadruped with the body covered with scales, the head of a dragon, hooves and two horns. The association frequently made by westerners of the unicorn with the qilin is easily explained by a tradition that unites these two animals, for which they are believed to make their very rare appearances only on the occasion of the imminent arrival of periods of prosperity and good governance. The symbolism linked to qilin is therefore highly positive, as a wish for peace, happiness and longevity.
According to a well-known tradition, the qilin is also considered the animal that in some cases carries the newborn to lucky parents (qilinsongzi), equivalent to the stork in western countries, an iconography exemplified by this statuette. These children would ensure a successful future in public administration, the greatest honour that could be achieved in classical China.
A pair of similar statuettes is illustrated in M. Cohen – W. Motley, Chinese and Japanese Export Ceramic Figures. Vol. 1. The James E. Sowell Collection, Reigate 2008, pp. 86-87, n. 4.1.
