IMPRINTS

Of a life, of a collection of a cat...

8th November-21st December 2007

Milan, September 2007. La Galliavola, The Oriental Art Gallery official opens on the 8th November 2007 the exhibition "IMPRINTS-Of a life, of a collection of a cat...." a new encounter after the success of Makara (2006) in last years Autumnal exhibition. A collection with one of the most important designs and diffusion in Chinese iconography: the representation of the animal world.
 
The opening of the exhibition will be an occasion to present the catalogue, published by La Galliavola, in which all pieces on exhibit are brought together. The core of the publication and of the exhibition "IMPRINTS-Of a life of a collection of a cat..."is made up of a collection of 20 Chinese ceramic cats. However, "IMPRINTS" is not only 20 unusually rare cat "night lights", but it is the stage for a substantial selection of objects originating from a Milanese home. A hallmarked collection, consisting of piece after piece, gathered during the course and movements of a beautiful life, which depict a taste taken from The Ancient Orient, in particular China.
 
Consequently, on exhibit, there are also dazzling Cloisonné enamel vases, Blanc de Chine and some celadon porcelain in a beautiful green, like that of jade. One could ask, were they not created as an imitation? Then, true jade in China has always been considered an archetype of beauty-in a large variety of hues from intense green to white. There is also a white Guanyin, literally speaking, the one who looks and listens. The humanitarian figure is attentive in prayer. For the lovers of archaeology, there is also an antiquated bronze, recovered from 2000BC.

The catalogue “IMPRINTS” is an important bibliography also on an international level. It is in fact the first work to document such a numerous collection of “cat night lights”. In the vast literature on porcelain, arriving from China or The Orient, there are only one or two illustrated examples, the same being for auction catalogues. Such an abundant list will stir the market. In respect very poor, but at the same time, with their age, there will be a very large interest versus these particular objects.

From the 9th November until the 22nd December 2007, in Via Borgogna 9, the centrepiece of the 45 objects on exhibition will be the collection of 20 cats dating from the 6th and 8th centuries. They are figures taken from majolica, in gres, biscuit and porcelain. The have a concealed slit fori the mouth and the eyes. From time to time for practicality, the spine of the animal acts as a handle. The presence of the tiny openings in the mouth and eyes, allow the light to spread and diffuse, as one could presume, it was used like a screen, a shield of light. It is there therefore, why these are also know as “night lights”

Their origin is neither clear nor certain. Legend has it that they can be traced back to a period in time when farmers used them to keep away mice, devourers, and silkworms. Silk was a principle economic resource in Ancient Imperial China. It is not by chance that cats were considered the protectors of the silk industry, and in fact it was believed that they had the capacity to chase away malicious spirits.

Subsequently, during the age of the Indian East Trading Company, the night lights developed also a decorative purpose. They became modelled and finely decorated to suit the tastes of the European market (as the inscription confirms, “Made for overseas”). This is easily seen on different pieces on exhibition at La Galliavola.   

Coming from the Far East, not uncommonly the night lights come equipped with a guild bronze base. In the European mind, this is a distinctive, precious attribute of the extremely elegant porcelain originating from China.

The cats are modelled in different positions even if the majority of them are in a crouched position with the paws comfortably curved along the body and the tail slightly curled to one side. While the body appears to be relaxed, the snout often reveals a certain tension. This attitude appears to be cautious, above all, evident in the look of the eyes and the grinding mouth. The attitude reflects well the sentiment of the Chinese towards this feline. Admired and dreaded, but never truly loved (a difference from those which come from Japan, where cats were introduced from China around the year 1000). The cats have never been truly wide spread. Perhaps mythology is to be blamed. The cat was the only not to cry at the death of Buddha. It is not by chance that the cat was not considered among the animals of the Chinese zodiac.

Even though there are probably many examples of products for the western market, today the night lights are very rare and difficult to find in the antique market, as well as in auction. In the last twenty years there have been only about ten examples up for auction. Some of which have reached price quotations of thousands of pounds.

Why they are so rare, we cannot say with certainty. Possibly it is influenced by the fragile material or the long journey from China. It could also be the repeated sinking of ships during transportation by the “Company”. But this obstacle was a problem for all of the manufactures of the deep orient. It is worth a thought that also during the period of their European success, the “night light” was an uncommon object, not widely spread, and reserved for a select and refined public, not to mention highly sought after.

Absolutely, not to be missed the exhibition and La Galliavola with its rich and well cared for selection of ceramics. From the most refined to the most ingenuous and naïve, this exhibition represents a unique occasion to admire and to buy unusual, curious objects with great fascination.