This interesting Chinese interpretation of the Madonna is produced at the kilns of Dehua. This Madonna porcelain reflects a blend of Chinese and European features as seen in the Chinese-style long robe, the cruciform on the Madonna’s chest and the distinctively foreign appearance of the young child in her arms. Such pure white porcelain figures are better known in the West as blanc-de-chine porcelain, which was exported to Europe in large quantities during the Qing dynasty. Early export pieces were usually in religious forms mostly for the Portuguese Catholic market. These pieces were usually of the Virgin and Child. Sculptures for the domestic market were also religious with the Goddess of Mercy being the most prevalent image produced.
