A pair of Chinese export polychrome decorated clay nodding figures

Note: The figures retain most of their painted surface decoration. One of the knurled staffs is of later date. Some glass panels on the stands are restorations.
These extraordinary figures are recorded twice in the collection of Count Liljenkrantz (1730 - 1815), a Swedish finance minister who was also a stockholder of the Swedish East India Company, first in 1788 at Sturehof Castle, Sweden, and again in 1815 at Norsborg, Sweden. Similar Chinese figures can be seen in Johann Zoffany’s 1764 portrait of Queen Charlotte, demonstrating the vogue for Chinese figures at court in England as well as in mainland Europe.
The figures are placed on a fine pair of mid 18th century Chinese export polychrome enamel pedestals.




The figures: Chinese, Qianlong period, circa 1780
The stands: Chinese, Qianlong period, circa 1800
The stands:
Height: 10 in; 25.5 cm
Width: 15 in; 38 cm
Depth: 12 ¼ in; 31 cm
Female figure:
Height: 28 in; 71 cm
Width: 11 ½ in; 29 cm
Depth: 9 ¾ in; 25 cm
Male figure:
Height: 27 in; 68.5 cm
Width: 11 ½ in; 29 cm
Depth: 9 ½ in; 24 cm