This roughly moulded figure of a small boy with his hands together in prayer probably belonged to a larger group of miniature figures in the wide repertoire of Dehua products.Dehua, a district in Fujian province, is the production centre for white porcelain, which is known to the Chinese as 'zhuyoubai' ('pork-grease white') or 'xiangyabai'' (ivory white), and to the Europeans, 'blanc de chine' (white porcelain). Dehua porcelain has a white body, consisting predominantly of porcelain stone ('baidunzi') with minute amounts of clay. This porcelain was produced as early as the 14th century. However, production and quality peaked in the 17th century. A variety of techniques, including press-moulding and slip-casting, were used to create a wide repertory of wares. This ranged from religious figurines to scholar’s objects and enamelled wares.
