Turquoise Stoneware Duck Brush Rest. Ming Period China.

This brush rest in the shape of a Mandarin duck is made of soft porcelain covered with a very bright turquoise enamel. The bird is hollow, the base is pierced with a square hole allowing the interior void to be seen. We do not think that it was made in a mold, but the details were finely incised with a chisel, which indicates a work of sculpture and not of molding. Only the discovery of a second absolutely identical duck could confirm this. The eyes are in blue glass paste, which is surprising; it is likely that they were added late, but as this is not certain, we preferred not to remove them. As this duck is a very rare, even unique subject, and the enamel is of the best quality, the addition of glass paste would confirm an exceptional object. Chinese work from the Yuan period - early Ming. Good condition but very worn. 105x45mm