A Large and Unusual Turquoise-Glazed Porcelain Cat

清 孔雀綠釉刻毛紋瑞貓像

China, Kangxi period (1662-1722), Qing dynasty

Modelled in the quintessential eighteenth-century Chinese tradition, this seated figure is perched alertly on its haunches atop a sturdy rectangular plinth. Its posture—characterised by rear legs coiled in a crouch against formally upright front legs—represents a signature sculptural convention of the period, designed to capture an animal’s vigilant and watchful spirit. The porcelain body is meticulously detailed with thousands of fine, hand-engraved incisions forming swirling, starburst patterns that emulate the natural texture of fur. This technique allows the luminous 'peacock green' glaze to pool within the recesses, creating an exquisite sense of visual depth. The expressive face, with its large almond-shaped eyes and a slightly open mouth—originally intended for the release of incense smoke embodies the whimsical yet sophisticated aesthetic that rendered such 'cabinet pieces' highly prized by elite European collectors, most notably Madame de Pompadour. The figure remains a striking testament to the technical mastery of mid-Qing dynasty decorative porcelain.