An Extremely Rare Bisque Portrait of Chinese Man by Mystery Maker

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20" (51 cm.) Solid domed bisque head depicting an adult Chinese man with rich amber complexion and sculpted age and character crinkles,having bald pate with deeply-sculpted shaded black hair from the back crown that is combed neatly behind his ears and formed into curls at his nape,with sculpted thick black brows,moustache,chin beard,and side burns all having stippled and comb-marked detailing,flat-cut neck socket,sculpted ears with extended length lobes,original pierced holes in nostrils and ear holes,painted brown eyes in deeply-set eye sockets,incised and thick black upper eyeliner,French composition and wooden fully-jointed body,antique silk kimono,sash,trousers,shoes,undergarments. Condition: generally excellent. Comments: maker and country of original unknown,probably late-19th century. The flat-cut neck construction and unusual nostril ear holes suggest its original purpose as an automaton model,probably as Magician. A fascination with magic performance was predominant in Chinese culture for centuries with some certain magicians achieving nearly mythic legends,and it is possible this character with his very distinctive features represents one such magician. Value Points: extremely rare portrait model with superb detail of sculpting and painting such as hair,brows,and moustache,and unusual elongated ear lobes considered a sign of wealth and nobility caused by the wearing of numerous earrings.