A detailed hand molded figure right from a Peking opera with a clay plug.The base clay used was a buff color. The hand molded clay figure was then fired with blue, yellow, green and black glazes that closely resemble those used during the Tang and Ming dynasties. The detailing is professional but not refined. Saying that, the detailing was involved with costume details like scarves, headdress, and clothing folds. The figure has hole in the bottom of the base that extends up inside the figure. The artists used this hole to form or shape their work around their finger, hand, or stick. This hole was then roughly plugged.There is a legend that these holes were at one time filled with contraband and plugged shut. Once they arrived at their destination, the clay plug was removed or the figure shattered and out came the smuggled goods.Unlike more modern reproductions, this piece has vibrant colors with almost an oily appearance to the glaze common to older a€?mudmena€. In addition, the glaze has pooled and run in heavy globules in the clothing folds, another hallmark of an older piece. We estimate the figure to date circa 1890-1920.MEASUREMENTS 7 1/8a€ (18.1 cm) tall x 6a€ (15.2 cm) wide x 2 15/16a€ (7.5 cm) deep. Weighs 15.8 oz (450 g)CONDITION The only damage is to the two headdress straps. The ends have broken. The piece still has a good entire look.A detailed colorful folk art piece to show the China of old. I love the hands on workmanship down to the finger prints of the sculptor on the plug.Item ID: Pot-1762