Bidspirit auction | Rare Blue & White Cat

Rare Blue & White Cat Nightlight - Rare Chinese export blue and white porcelain nightlight in the form of a seated cat, Kangxi ca. 1700. The spotted feline modeled in an upright seated position, the fur and whiskers picked out in blue. With pierced eyes and mouth open to reveal two teeth and a tongue. Provenance: Robert Lee and Melanie Gill Collection, New York; The Chinese Porcelain Company, New York, 25 October 2002; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. Lot Essay: This Kangxi porcelain cat, originally functioning as a nightlight, exemplifies a major trend in 18th- and 19th-century French collecting, where such luminous monochrome figures were highly prized and frequently mounted on elaborate gilt-bronze bases. Beyond its popularity in France, this model catalyzed a global demand for ceramic felines, inspiring subsequent export production across China and Japan, as well as imitations by European manufacturers like Meissen and Staffordshire. The figure bridges two cultural traditions, representing a protector against mice and evil spirits in Chinese symbolism while appealing to European audiences who commonly viewed felines as playful and mischievous. Height: 7 1/2 in x width: 6 1/2 in x depth: 4 in. Condition: There are signs of restoration to each of the ears and along the right side of the right foot. There is a loss to the tongue along the interior of the mouth. There is a small loss to the glaze near the left, hind leg. There are a few fleabite chips along the eyes, noticeable upon touch. There is a small rounded firing flaw along the interior of the left tear. There are firing flaws of granular-like texture along the interior and exterior perimeter of the base. There is a large linear firing flaw visible along the interior.