Monumental Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrot, Late 19th C

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Monumental Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrot

Dimensions: 19" H × 6" W × 9" D (base 7" × … Read more Monumental Chinese Export Porcelain Green Sancai Glazed Parrot

Dimensions: 19" H × 6" W × 9" D (base 7" × 6")
Origin: China, late Qing dynasty, circa 1880–1900
Condition: Minor glaze fritting and wear consistent with age, small firing flaws, otherwise excellent presentation.

An extraordinary and monumental Chinese export sancai-glazed porcelain parrot, dating to the late Qing dynasty, circa 1880–1900. Standing an impressive 19 inches tall, with a 7 × 6 inch base, this vibrant avian figure is nearly twice the size of the standard sancai parrots (typically 8–9 inches) that were produced for the export market. Its rare scale alone makes it an exceptional and highly desirable survival.

The parrot is modeled in a bold upright pose, perched upon a rocky outcrop that is glazed in flowing amber and green tones. The body is coated in a rich variegated green glaze, with tonal shifts suggesting the layered texture of feathers. Shallow impressed details further articulate the wings and tail, while the eyes and beak are accented in cream and iron-brown glazes. The interior is hollow, with venting holes at both the underside and the head—functional kiln features necessary to prevent explosion during high firing. Their presence is both a technical hallmark of large sancai figures and an assurance of authenticity.

Parrots in Chinese decorative arts symbolized vigilance, fidelity, and exotic beauty, while the green glaze conveyed renewal, growth, and harmony. Imported into Europe during the height of the chinoiserie craze, such parrots became fashionable curiosities, admired as emblems of the exotic East. Monumental sancai animals, however, were seldom attempted due to firing risks, making this survivor particularly rare. See less