Large Shiwan (Shekwan) Ware Figure of Confucious Kong zi

Offered for sale is a magnificent Shiwan ( Shekwan) figure of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius Kong zi. Confucius (or Kongzi) was a Chinese philosopher who lived in the 6th century Bc whose thoughts, expressed in the philosophy of Confucianism, have influenced Chinese culture right up to the present day. He is considered the first teacher and his teachings are usually expressed in short phrases which are open to various interpretations. Chief among his philosophical ideas is the importance of a virtuous life, filial piety, and ancestor worship. Also emphasised is the necessity for benevolent and frugal rulers, the importance of inner moral harmony and its direct connection with harmony in the physical world and that rulers and teachers are important role models for wider society. As an important part of Chinese traditional culture, ceramic wares have a long history reflecting the customs of this ancient culture. One of the most famous types of ceramic works is called Shiwan (Shekwan) ware, which has been the shining star in Chinese folk ceramic art as early as the Tang and Song Dynasties (618-906ad), and which flourished in the Ming and Qing dynasties. These Shiwan (Shekwan)ceramics are commonly known as mudware, mud figures or figurines, mud people, mud men, mudd men, or mudmen and were produced from the Late 19th Century up to Mid 20th Century.