A Pair of Large Chinese Sculptures of the Goddess of the Moon and God of the Sun

Qing dynasty (1644-1912), 19th century, Shiwan pottery figures, possibly from the studio of Rubi Wen, very finely crafted, painted in vivid colors to their attire while leaving their faces unglazed, they stand on cloud bases and look towards each other, each holding a disc in their hands extending upwards.

The sculptures are depictions of the God of the Sun, Hou Yi, and his wife the Goddess of the Moon, Chang'e. They were immortals living in the heavens in the court of the Jade Emperor. However, the Jade Emperor sent them to earth, where they lost their immortality and became mortal.




35 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 11 in.; 31 3/4 x 16 x 9 1/2 in.

Collection of Mr. John Sylvester, Jr.

A similar pair is featured in the Blake Gardens at UC Berkeley in California.

Both figures have breaks with repairs, particularly to back side; other scattered repairs; loss to fingers of female figure; loss to fingers of the male figure and a hole to the top of his forehead.