Pipa Lady Figurine Appraisal

Famille Rose Polychrome Porcelain Figurine of a Lady Playing a Pipa

This is a highly detailed, hand-painted polychrome porcelain figurine depicting a seated Chinese woman in traditional dress playing a pipa (lute). The piece is characterized by its intricate 'Famille Rose' style palette, featuring soft greens, pinks, and delicate gold gilt highlights along the borders of the garments. The woman is seated on a rocky outcrop adorned with sculpted porcelain flowers, which demonstrate high levels of craftsmanship through their thin, individual petals. She wears an elaborate hairstyle with a floral headpiece and a long side braid. Her robes are decorated with traditional floral motifs and medallions. A notable feature is the red textile tassel attached to the neck of the pipa, providing a textural contrast to the hard ceramic surface. The figurine shows a refined facial expression with delicate features. Conditionwise, the piece appears to be in good vintage condition; however, figurines of this complexity often suffer from nearly invisible chips to the fragile floral elements at the base or the tips of the instrument. The style suggests it may be a mid-to-late 20th-century piece, likely from the 'Export' period or a high-quality reproduction of a Qing-style figure. There are no maker's marks visible in the photograph, but such pieces often bear stamps or signatures on the unglazed underside of the base.