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A MAJAPAHIT TERRACOTTA FIGURE OF CHUBBY LITTLE BOY
奥地利
09月12日 下午5点 开拍 / 09月10日 下午3点 截止委托
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Description

A MAJAPAHIT TERRACOTTA FIGURE OF CHUBBY LITTLE BOY

Published: Editor Paolo Bertuzzi; Author Agus Aris Munandar: Majapahit: Masterpieces from a Forgotten Kingdom, 2023, p. 107, fig. 057.

Indonesia, East Java, Trowulan area, Majapahit Empire (1297-1527). This terracotta figure portrays a cherubic young boy seated in a cross-legged position, the body modeled with full, rounded forms and a natural sense of childlike weight. The figure’s large belly, short limbs, and serene posture suggest a toddler age. The facial features are softly defined, with full cheeks, narrow almond-shaped eyes, and a gentle, faint smile. His hair is gathered into a high ponytail. He is adorned with a necklace, thick bracelets, and anklets. The jewelry follows Majapahit conventions, yet the facial type, with slanted eyes and a wide, flat nose, may hint at a Chinese physiognomy.

This rare depiction may represent the child of a wealthy Chinese merchant, reflecting the presence of a prosperous Chinese trading community in Majapahit-era Java. The absence of a pedestal and the informal posture support the reading of this figure as a genre portrait rather than a divine or courtly image.

Provenance: Acquired in the Trowulan area at the end of the 20th century by Paolo Bertuzzi, thence by descent. Paolo Bertuzzi (1943–2022), was a fashion stylist from Bologna, Italy. He was the son of Enrichetta Bertuzzi, founder of Hettabretz, a noted Italian fashion company with customers such as the Rothschild family, Audrey Hepburn, and Elizabeth Taylor. Paolo Bertuzzi later took over his mother’s business and designed exclusive pieces, some of which were exhibited in the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum in New York, USA. He was also an avid collector of antiques for more than 60 years. His collection includes both archaic and contemporary art. He also edited two important books on Asian art: Goa Made – An Archaeological Discovery and Majapahit – Masterpieces from a Forgotten Kingdom, both documenting major excavation projects carried out in collaboration with the respective national governments of Indonesia and Italy.
Condition: Presenting well and in stable, restored condition. Exhibiting areas of loss and cracking, with associated surface wear, soil encrustations, and weathering, all consistent with age and material.

Dimensions: Height approx. 40 cm

Literature comparison:

A related terracotta figure of a chubby, naked toddler is published in ‘Majapahit terracotta: The Soedarmadji Jean Henrz Damais Collection, 2012, p. 133, catalogue no. AD0036.

The Majapahit Empire, which flourished in East Java, Indonesia, from the late 13th to the early 16th century, was one of Southeast Asia’s most influential Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms, renowned for its cultural sophistication and far-reaching political power. Under the reign of King Hayam Wuruk (1350–1389), Majapahit’s capital, Trowulan, emerged as a vibrant center of religious devotion and artistic production. Among the most distinctive legacies of the Majapahit period is its prolific use of terracotta, employed for both utilitarian and symbolic purposes.

Terracotta artifacts from the Majapahit Empire include figurines, architectural elements such as roof tiles, bricks, and columns, as well as everyday objects like water jars, stoves, vases, and piggy banks. These works provide invaluable insight into the daily life, attire, belief systems, and social structures of the time. Majapahit terracotta figures depict a wide range of subjects, from deities, dancers, and mythical beasts to animals and common people, reflecting both the religious and secular dimensions of the empire’s artistic output.

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拍品估价:2,000 - 4,000 欧元 起拍价格:2,000 欧元  买家佣金: 35.00%

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