Chinese Porcelain Figurine Appraisal

Chinese Porcelain Figurine of a Dignitary

This item is a polychrome porcelain figurine depicting a Chinese dignitary, possibly from the late 20th century given the 'Made in China' context. The overall height appears to be approximately 10-12 inches. The figure is meticulously hand-painted with a vibrant color palette, including rich reds, blues, greens, yellows, and white. The dignitary is portrayed with a smiling, benevolent expression, with finely sculpted facial features. He wears an elaborate costume consisting of a red robe with a prominent gold and green dragon motif on the chest, signifying importance or imperial connection. A necklace of black beads adorns his neck, complementing the intricate details of his attire. His shoulders are covered by an ornate, blue and gold cape or ceremonial collar. On his head, he wears a light blue and yellow cap with a red lotus-like symbol at the front and a pink, possibly unglazed or unpainted, protrusion at the very top. The detail work on the clothing is quite fine, with wavy patterns and geometric shapes at the bottom hem of the robe, predominantly in blue, green, and red. The base of the figurine is a light gray color, with yellow decorative elements, possibly auspicious symbols, and two black circular accents that might suggest feet or a stylized base design. The craftsmanship appears to be of good quality, with attention to detail in the painting and sculpting. There are no immediately visible signs of major damage or repair, though a closer inspection would be needed to detect fine crazing, chips, or paint loss. The finish is glossy which points to a glazed porcelain. This piece is characteristic of decorative porcelain items for export.