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    Collecting Chinese Mud Men: Information and Illustrations
    Collecting Chinese Mud Men: Information and Illustrations
    Collecting Chinese Mud Men: Information and Illustrations
    Ebook126 pages1 hour

    Collecting Chinese Mud Men: Information and Illustrations

    By Jim Mayfield

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    About this ebook

    Ever wonder about those clever Chinese "niren" figures, more commonly known as Chinese mud men, that have captured the imagination and enthusiasm of collectors worldwide? Finally, a book that separates fact from fiction and provides important information and fascinating insights. You will learn about the varieties of mud men, their symbolism, how to spot and assess damage, and the challenges in discerning the age of these figures. The author offers a new approach to grading and assessing condition to help buyers and sellers alike. This book provides a wealth of informative material presented in a highly readable format with extensive illustrations. Learn everything you need to know to get started collecting these intriguing figures. Loaded with over 300 color pictures. A real bargain and a “must read” for collectors.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBookBaby
    Release dateMay 3, 2013
    ISBN9781626757950
    Collecting Chinese Mud Men: Information and Illustrations

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      Book preview

      Collecting Chinese Mud Men - Jim Mayfield

      Copyright ©2013 Jim Mayfield

      All Rights Reserved

      First Edition

      ISBN: 9781626757950

      Contents

      Foreword

      A Collector's Viewpoint

      Introduction

      What are mud men?

      Plate 1: Mud Man Size Comparison

      Contrasting Styles

      Plate 2

      Availability

      Markings, Labeling and Dating

      Mud Man Attire

      Objects and Symbolism

      Locating, Understanding and Assessing Damage

      Thoughts on and a Framework for Assessing Condition

      Standards for Grading Mud Men

      Misrepresentation or Fake?

      Plate 3

      Illustrations

      Examples of Exceptional Figures

      Plates 4-6

      Eight Immortals

      Plate 7

      Markings Found on Figures

      Plates 8-14

      Fishermen

      Plates 15-17

      Officials and Scholars

      Plate 18

      Higher Social Status

      Plate 19

      Figures Seated on a Flat Surface

      Plate 20

      Hats

      Plates 21-23

      Hair Styles

      Plates 24-27

      Ornamental Patch

      Plate 28

      Hand Detail

      Plate 29

      Feet and Footwear

      Plate 30

      Objects and Symbolism

      Plates 31-43

      Understanding and Evaluating Damage and Repair

      Plates 44-48

      Jars and Baskets

      Plate 49

      Carriers

      Plates 50-52

      Pairs

      Plates 53-54

      Mud Women

      Plate 55

      Unique Pieces

      Plates 56-58

      Newer Figures

      Plate 59

      Figures Misidentified by Seller

      Plate 60

      Glaze Colors

      Plate 61

      The Back Gallery

      Plate 62

      Endpiece

      Suggested Reading

      Foreword

      A Collector's Viewpoint

      I am not a scholar nor an expert in pottery or Chinese art history. I am a collector...of many things. One collection developed over many years, and a passion, is mud men from China. I have seen and acquired a great many; my collection which formed the basis for this book is, I believe, large by general standards. I have seen the evolution of mud men from rather insignificant bric-a-brac to much sought after collectibles; I have seen the prices for these clay figures rise from pennies each to many dollars; and I have seen inaccuracies, mislabeling, and misinformation detract from this hobby. So, it seems the right time to offer some of my thoughts to old and new collectors alike. My views may not be shared by everyone. I have tried to present some new, maybe controversial, but accurate information. But if nothing else, this compilation of information and color illustrations offers facts and ideas you might want to know as a mud man enthusiast, and hopefully it will be helpful to you, a fellow collector. All the figures shown are from my collection. The purpose, thoughts and scope of this book are first and foremost — of a collector, by a collector, for a collector.

      Jim Mayfield

      April 2013

      Introduction

      In late 2011, when my accumulation of mud men (to be accurate, mud people since mud women also exist) was approaching 200 pieces, after almost 50 years of collecting, my family suggested that my collection was more like a hoard and that I should stop. It was suggested that I certainly did not need any more, and perhaps I should consider parting with a few. So I decided to look at my collection with the thought of possibly thinning out some, and I began an item by item inventory to see what and who I had. But as I examined each figure, I became even more intrigued by the variety, history, and personalities represented. Gradually, the prospect of a thinning process turned into an adding process with renewed vigor. I have never sold a figure, and the collection continues to grow.

      As I surveyed my collection, I realized that in addition to the usual peasants, officials, and fisherman, I had acquired a number of immortals and other Chinese folklore characters. All these figures are generically known as mud men from the Chinese word niren meaning figures made from clay. I discovered, again, that these miniatures were more than just lumps of molded clay, mud in the vernacular, a term that purists do not particularly appreciate. They were not just fisherman or peasants or higher society folk — there was a wide assortment of characters, including immortals, each seemingly with a story of its own to tell. There seemed to be an endless variety of colors, poses/positions, objects, sizes, and personalities with a wide array of symbolism attached to these wonderful but simple figures. As I attempted to better document my collection, I realized there was little in the way of simple, descriptive information available on these figures. Maybe the mud people story needed to be told in detail....maybe an informative guide to collecting, buying, and selling with accompanying illustration would be helpful, particularly for the novice collector. So I set out to do just that.

      My original plan was to compile an illustrated guide to show and analyze all the known

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