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Vintage Chinese White Crackle Glaze Immortal Figurine with Working Moving Tongue (Nodder) — 4.5 Inches Tall
Up for sale is a fascinating vintage Chinese slip-cast porcelain figurine depicting an Immortal or wise man, featuring a classic, high-gloss white crackle glaze (crazed glaze) finish.
Rare, Fully Functional "Nodder" Mechanism:
The standout feature of this miniature piece is its fully functional interior articulation. The dark tongue inside the open, laughing mouth moves completely freely and bobbles beautifully when the figurine is gently handled or shifted. Finding these delicate, smaller nodder mechanisms intact and moving smoothly is a true rarity for collectors.
Condition & Structure Disclosures (Please Read Before offerding):
• The Body & Glaze: The main body features a sharp, uniform, and intentional web-like crackle pattern in the glaze. There are no chips or missing pieces on the fingers, face, or garments.
• The Hat Peak: There is a faint hairline structural crack visible on the upper peak of the pointed hat branching near the factory mold seam (clearly documented in the photos). It is stable but can be detected by feel, running deeper than the smooth, decorative glaze crackle.
• The Base Modification: Please note that a previous owner completely filled the originally hollow base cavity with a solid white plaster/compound material (see photos). This modification was likely done to provide extra ballast and weight stability, preventing the lightweight figurine from easily tipping over on a display shelf.
• Crucial Detail: Fortunately, this plaster fill did not compromise the articulation—the interior wire weight remains completely unimpeded, and the tongue still moves Height: Standing right at 4.5 inches tall.
• Width: Perfectly sized for a curio cabinet, mantel, or desk display.
Please review all high-resolution photos carefully to examine the exterior finish, the hat peak hairline, and the plaster-filled base. The item pictured is the exact piece you will receive. Feel free to reach out with any questions before purchasing!