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This is a complete matching three-piece set (with stands), of Fujian Guild Hall 6.5” tall porcelain figurines in the Chinese Famille Rose style, depicting traditional figures or immortals.
Their visual presence, with matching enamel palettes, and the original custom wood-grained bases make these pieces a highly desirable, cohesive display set for casual collectors or decorators who care more about history and aesthetics than flawless perfection.
These pieces are in overall excellent antique condition!
NOTE: The only flaws noted are a paint rub on the outside of both feet of the scholar, and a minor chip to the brim of the hat and the corner of the hoe blade on the farmer (see closeup photos.)
Otherwise, the color is vibrant on all pieces and appear to be a matching set.
*All items are either my own or inherited, so are described & fairly priced to the best of my ability (based on measurements, irregularities, age, etc.)
*All items are sold AS-IS, so please diligently look at all photos & read the item description carefully.
*If you have further questions, or wish to make a “reasonable” offer not allowed in the listing, please message me. I will be happy to respond! 😊
MORE DESCRIPTION:
These figures represent Yú, Gèng, Dú (渔, 耕, 读), a traditional Chinese cultural motif representing the 3 of the Noble Folk Professions: the Fisherman, the Farmer, and the Scholar.
They are made of hand-painted glazed porcelain with detailed floral and patterned robes.
These are painted in the style of Famille Rose (a Chinese porcelain palette known for its pink and soft enamel colors).
Base: Each figure stands on a carved wood-grained display stand.
Historically, these characters symbolize a peaceful, ideal lifestyle close to nature, free from the stresses of political turmoil.
In art, they are considered hidden "hermits" who find wisdom and contentment in simple work.
While usually a set of four, porcelain sets are occasionally produced or preserved as three distinct, popular representations of these ideals.
FURTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES:
1. The Scholar (Dú / 读)Visual Attributes: Dressed in an elegant blue patterned robe with a scholar's topknot hair style, cradling a dark stack of bamboo or wood slips (an ancient book format used before the invention of paper) or a scholar's tablet.Cultural Meaning: Represents knowledge, wisdom, and self-cultivation through study. In the hermitic tradition, the scholar chooses a quiet life of learning over chasing corrupt political power.
2. The Fisherman (Yú / 渔)Visual Attributes: An elderly, bearded figure with a bald head dressed in a yellow robe, proudly cradling a large red carp.Cultural Meaning: Represents prosperity, survival, and abundance. The word for fish (yú) sounds identical to the word for surplus or extra wealth in Chinese, making the carp a direct symbol for wishing financial well-being and continuous luck.
3. The Farmer (Gèng / 耕) Visual Attributes: Wearing a broad-brimmed straw hat and a dark shoulder cape (historically made of coir thatch to shield against rain), & he is holding a long-handled agricultural hoe or weeding tool. Cultural Meaning: representing agriculture, patience, and the literal fruits of labor. Farming is considered the baseline backbone of traditional society, honoring those who live peacefully by working the land.
Origin & Date of Manufacture:
These figurines were made in Fujian Province, China during late 19th century to the early 20th century (roughly 1890 to 1940).
The identification is confirmed by the two distinct stamps pressed directly into the raw clay on the underside of each piece:
The Regional Studio Stamp: The rectangular stamp reads "福建会馆" (Fujian Hui Guan), which translates to the Fujian Guild Hall or Fujian Meeting Hall. In the late Qing Dynasty and the subsequent Republic period, this mark was used by a highly regarded network of regional porcelain workshops and artistic studios specializing in high-quality, expressive hand-painted figurines.
The Export Stamp: The unglazed, incised "CHINA" block stamp was applied to comply with Western import regulations. The specific style of this incised rectangle mark is highly characteristic of Chinese export wares manufactured and shipped during the 1890s through the 1940s.
