Untitled

Unknown

17th–18th century · Porcelain with ivory glaze (Dehua ware) · Asian Art

Budai, a tenth-century monk, was known for his laughing face and round stomach. Named after the cloth sack (budai) that he carries under his arm, he is believed to be the incarnation of Maitreya, the future Buddha, who helps common people in the mortal world. The porcelain of the Dehua kilns in Fujian Province is characterized by its thick, lustrous, clear glaze and white paste. It is generally referred to in Western writings as blanc de chine or “China white.”

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th–18th century

Medium

Porcelain with ivory glaze (Dehua ware)

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

The Friedsam Collection, Bequest of Michael Friedsam, 1931