A large Chinese porcelain study of the Buddha Putai, he sits…
click the photo to enlarge
A large Chinese porcelain study of the Buddha Putai, he sits wearing a famille rose painted robe, open and displaying his corpulent belly, numerous children clamber upon his limbs, his and the children's robes highlighted with gilding. Raised on a carved wooden plinth base. Impressed marks under the base. Height 34 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Gilding - Gilding is a method of ornamentation whereby a thin sheet of gold metal is applied to items made of wood, leather, ceramics, glass and silver for decorative purposes.

    For furniture including mirrors, the sheet of gold is usually applied over a coating of gesso. Gesso is a mixture of plaster of Paris and gypsum mixed with water and then applied to the carved wooden frames of mirrors and picture frames as a base for applying the gold leaf. After numerous coats of gesso have been applied, allowed to dry and then sanded a coat of "bole", a usually red coloured mixture of clay and glue is brushed on and allowed to dry, after which the gold leaf is applied. Over time parts of the gilding will rub off so the base colour can be seen. In water gilding, this was generally a blue colour, while in oil gilding, the under layer was often yellow. In Victorian times, gilders frequently used red as a pigment beneath the gold leaf.

    Metal was often gilded by a process known as fire gilding. Gold mixed with mercury was applied and heated, causing the mercury to evaporate, the long-term effect of which was to kill or disable the craftsman or woman from mercury poisoning. The pursuit of beauty has claimed many victims, not the least of which were the artists who made those pieces so highly sought after today.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

A late 19th century French ormolu and porcelain small table screen desk clock, the rococo frame supporting hand painted classical porcelain plaques of figures and cherubs, the small white enamelled dial clock recessed with blue Arabic numerals. Height 12 c

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A petite late 18th century Venetian mirror, painted in the Chinoiserie style in parcel gilt and vermillion. The rococo shield shaped carved frame surmounted by floral and cloud form pediments. 66.5 cm x 45 cm. Along with an associated mahogany, lead weight

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A silk scarf by Hermes, the 'Ludovicus Magnus' design by Francois de la Perrier, in colours of pale pink and gold, on an ivory and pink background, 89 cm square

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Two German porcelain panels, 19th century, one of a the Virgin Mary and a framed oval panel of a Vestal Virgin, the panel 19 x 12 cm, the stand 49 cm high, the oval panel 16 x 11.5 cm

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.