600. Maoist, Chinese Communist Party Art

Revolutionary Terracotta Group

This beautifully worked sculptural group of two female figures and two male figures has been left unglazed. Each figure has been skilfully formed by moulding and with later hand finishing – the results are very life-like. The facial expressions are precise as are the folds and creases in the clothing to denote posture and movement. The central figure reads from a copy of the People’s Daily while the others listen intently.

The placard on the left has again in neatly impressed Chinese characters four slogans: Study the Sixteen Sayings (presumably Mao’s); Publicise the Sixteen Sayings; Enact the Sixteen Sayings; and Defend the Sixteen Sayings.

The arm band of the seated male figure on the right announces in Chinese that the figure is a Red Guard.

The central figure reads a copy of The

People’s Daily from which the central figure reads which has a headline in neatly impressed Chinese characters to announce that the Chinese Communist Party’s Central Committee has decided to launch a Great Proletariat Cultural Revolution.

Indeed, in May 1966, articles began to appear in Communist Party newspapers that introduced the concept of a Great Proletariat Revolution. In August Mao officially launched the Cultural Revolution with a speech to the Central Committee of the Communist Party. Later that month he put on a red arm band at a mass meeting in Tiananmen Square to signify his empathy with the Red Guards.

A placard attached to the back of the bag at the feet of the central figure reds in Chinese: ‘Chairman Mao’s sayings – Be decisive; Don’t be afraid of sacrifice; Overcome all obstacles to gain victory.’

Overall, this is a both a stunning piece of artwork and an excellent piece of Chinese political history. The condition is excellent – there are no cracks and no chips to the figures. There is only some minor fretting to the bottom edge of the base.

Acquired in Hong Kong in the 1960s.