19th Century Chinese Susancai Glazed Porcelain Roosters - a Pair

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Two small antique Chinese export porcelain figurines of roosters decorated with Kangxi-style Susancai (素三彩), 19th century, Qing Dynasty, good condition … Read more Two small antique Chinese export porcelain figurines of roosters decorated with Kangxi-style Susancai (素三彩), 19th century, Qing Dynasty, good condition with age marks and wear, private Connecticut collection
6 in. tall, 4 3/4 in. wide

A rooster stands for pride, hope, a new day, and even resurrection. For the Chinese, rooster symbolism is linked to good luck, wealth, and fortune. The Japanese believe the rooster symbol to be a signal for prayer. In Buddhism, the rooster symbolizes non-material desires and is one of the three animals (along with a pig and a snake), which accompanies man in the circle of birth and death. A living rooster or his image is used in funeral processions as a force to drive away evil spirits.
Susancai ("soft three color glaze") glazes are generally applied directly on biscuit fired (unglazed) porcelain. The style appeared during the end of the Ming dynasty and was at its most popular during the Kangxi reign. It is still produced and used today in South East Asia. The decoration is similar to the Tang dynasty (618-907) sancai ('three colors') decoration made by copper, iron and cobalt oxide colored lead glazes applied on earthenware. Susancai usually doesn't contain the amber color shown in the Tang sancai glaze. See less