A COLLECTION OF BISCUIT PORCELAIN BUSTS OF CHAIRMAN MAO ZEDONG 1966-1967 |

each inscribed 'Long Live Chairman Mao'

Peter Wain.

Others from the same hoard: Mao: Art For The Masses, Revolutionary Art of the Mao Zedong Era, 1950-1976, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, May 3003 - March 2004, cat. no. 32.  

These busts are in generally good condition, with the exception of some general surface wear, as well as nicks and minor chips to the extremities.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The busts are part of a hoard of 400 such figurines discovered on the Sino-Tibetan border. The busts were intended for official distribution to the outlying villages of the South East corner of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. They were shipped via Kunming to Lijiang, repacked into packhorse baskets, then transported by horse to Zhong Dian on the Yunnan/Tibet border. The baskets were placed in a storeroom in the police station, forgotten about and rediscovered after the 1998 earthquake destroyed the building. This porcelain 'Official Issue' bust was the only sculptured image to be distributed to all official buildings throughout China.