The present figure belongs to a select group of works from the Dehua kilns that bear the seal of the renowned potter He Chaozong. Although the Dehua kilns have a long and distinguished history, He Chaozong’s name stands above all others. Active in the late Ming dynasty (early 17th century), he was celebrated as the artist who elevated Dehua porcelain to its highest artistic form.

He Chaozong’s mastery extended beyond pottery, he was also an accomplished sculptor, a visionary whose hands shaped the very spirit of Dehua porcelain. His creations, most often Buddhist and Daoist figures, are instantly recognisable for their serene elegance and exquisite detail.

This magnificent, large and rare Chinese Dehua standing figure of Guanyin dates to the Ming Dynasty. The deity is elegantly standing on a domed base modelled as swirling waves, she has downcast eyes, and her lips are gently indented to provide a benevolent expression. She is dressed in a voluminous robe and her chest adorned with a bejewelled necklace with her hair swept behind a diadem and partially hidden under a cowl. She is impressed with the maker’s seal mark ‘He Chaozong’ within a double-gourd outline.

Lynch House, Kensworth

This rare figure is offered at auction from the collections of H. W. Rubin and E. W. Rubin. Lynch House in Kensworth, one of the finest examples of a small early Georgian manor house in England, has been the home of the Rubin family for nearly 80 years.

The legacy of He Chaozong

In May 2023, we were delighted to present another exceptional creation by He Chaozong, a rare 17th-century Chinese Dehua figure of Guanyin which sold for £241,450. The bodhisattva is depicted seated in dhyanasana, adorned in long, flowing robes that gracefully enfold her hands and fall open at the chest to reveal a beaded necklace. Her serene face, with downcast eyes, conveys a sense of tranquil compassion, while her elaborate chignon is partially veiled by a softly cascading cowl.

Upcoming Dehua highlights:

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Auction Details

Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 November 2025, 10.30am GMT
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE, UK

Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.

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VIEWING
Viewing in London (Highlights):
Dreweatts, 16-17 Pall Mall, St James’s, London SW1Y 5LU

• Sunday 2 November: 10am-3pm
• Monday 3 November: 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 4 November: 10am-4pm

Viewing in Newbury (Full sale):
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE, UK

• Sunday 9 November: 10am-3pm
• Monday 10 November: 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 11 November: 10am-4pm
• Wednesday 12 November: 9am-4pm
• Thursday 13 November: 9am-11am

Further information:
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | asian@dreweatts.com
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