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‘Small Figures’
COLLECTION FOCUS
Sep 2023 - Jun 2026

A ceramic sculpture of a headless, armless figure on a green sofa. Liu Jianhua / China b.1962 / Obsessive memories (detail) 2000 / Porcelain, modelled and with overglaze colours, incised / Purchased 2004. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Jianhua Liu

Over the past two years (2021–23), the Collection Online team have photographed thousands of artworks as part of the Gallery’s Digital Transformation Initiative (DTI). This project has allowed our dedicated conservators, collection managers and photographers to delve deep into Collection storage to uncover and care for artworks not displayed in decades.

The DTI has been supported by many generous individuals through donation to our Foundation. Here, we acknowledge the hundreds of donors to QAGOMA’s ‘Unlock the Collection’ campaign, which makes our artworks more accessible and discoverable online — and in detail never seen before.

The Collection Online project allows us to share anew the Gallery’s diverse range of artworks. In ‘Small Figures’, you’ll discover some of the works we have recently prepared for photography, and some of the works that just made us smile. From small figures to tiny frogs, this display represents a sample of our teams’ favourite recent finds — the weird and whimsical, the cute and curious. 
 

‘Small Figures’ is on in QAG's Pelican Lounge from September 2023 to June 2026. To make the most of your visit, check the exhibition dates, find out about getting here, parking and Gallery accessibility. As this is a rotating exhibition, not all works listed below will be on display simultaneously.



Feature image: Liu Jianhua / China b.1962 / Obsessive memories 2000 / Purchased 2004. Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / © Jianhua Liu

Collection artworks featured in ‘Small Figures’

Artwork Porridge plate with 'Joy germ': Bruce this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled lip applied with a pink koala and a figure of an imp. Olive green glaze, created in 1937-01-01

Porridge plate with 'Joy germ': Bruce 1937

Artwork Porridge plate with 'Joy germ': David this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled lip applied with a blue rabbit and a figure of an imp. Olive green glaze, created in 1937-01-01

Porridge plate with 'Joy germ': David 1937

Artwork Wine mug: Bruce this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with grape leaf, fruit and tendrils, the branch forming the handle. Glazed mulberry and green over brown, created in 1937-01-01

Wine mug: Bruce 1937

Artwork Wine mug: David this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with grape leaf, fruit and tendrils, the branch forming the handle. Glazed mulberry and green over brown, created in 1937-01-01

Wine mug: David 1937

Artwork Figurine: Goatherd this artwork made of Soft-paste porcelain with polychrome enamels and gilt details, created in 1769-01-01

Figurine: Goatherd c.1769-75

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Plate: (wax lipped orchids) 1953

Artwork Figurine of Neptune this artwork made of Soft-paste porcelain figure of Neptune standing in a yellow-lined floral cloak, the mound base moulded with a polychromed dolphin, shells and seaweed surmounting polychromed gilt edged rococo scrolls, created in 1765-01-01

Figurine of Neptune c.1770

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Plate 1948

Artwork Ornament: Playgoers this artwork made of Stoneware, modelled as a group of three mice watching a Punch and Judy show and flanked by a musician and coin collector. Salt glazed, created in 1884-01-01

Ornament: Playgoers c.1884-86

Artwork Fluted plate this artwork made of Porcelain handpainted with flowers in pink, green and blue and gilt details against a pink and dabbled gilt ground, created in 1891-01-01

Fluted plate c.1891-1902

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Dish: Triangle c.1980-81

Artwork Sculpture: Invader this artwork made of Stoneware and porcelain clays with commercial coloured body stains inlaid glazed and fired in an oxidising gas kiln to 1250-1280 degrees Celsius, created in 1980-01-01

Sculpture: Invader c.1980-81

Artwork Down the chute this artwork made of Bronze, created in 1978-01-01

Down the chute 1978

Artwork Obsessive memories this artwork made of Porcelain, modelled and with overglaze colours, incised, created in 2002-01-01

Obsessive memories 2002

Artwork Obsessive memories this artwork made of Porcelain, modelled and with overglaze colours, incised, created in 2000-01-01

Obsessive memories 2000

Artwork Sculpture: Housebound this artwork made of Stoneware, modelled and carved in the form of a tortoise with an elaborate house on its back, created in 1982-01-01

Sculpture: Housebound 1982

Artwork Sculpture: The tailor on the he-goat this artwork made of Porcelain, hard-paste moulded and assembled with polychrome colours over a clear glaze, created in 1737-01-01

Sculpture: The tailor on the he-goat 1737, cast c.1850

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Pink sailor 2005

Artwork Small figure making and recording History this artwork made of Wood, paint, metal and plastic, created in 1991-01-01

Small figure making and recording History 1991

Artwork My beautiful pink polar bears this artwork made of Ceramic, created in 2005-01-01

My beautiful pink polar bears 2005

Artwork Figure of a goose this artwork made of Porcelain, sancai-style glaze, created in 1900-01-01

Figure of a goose 20th century

Artwork Footed bowl this artwork made of Hand-built earthenware with in-curving sides and triform shapes extending to form feet. Three graduated dots set above a carved shape on each side. Glazed green with red, created in 1920-01-01

Footed bowl 1920

Artwork Wallhanging: Cat in a peach tree this artwork made of Appliqued and dyed Irish linen with wool and silk embroidery, created in 1980-01-01

Wallhanging: Cat in a peach tree 1980

Artwork Jackie tobacco this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled kookaburra, with detachable head, on pedestal, in the style of Martin Bros, England. Glazed naturalistic colours and integral carved wood base, created in 1925-01-01

Jackie tobacco c.1930

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Cheese dish and cover 1925

Artwork Figurine: Bonzo - A corker this artwork made of Earthenware, press moulded in the form of a seated dog with brown glaze splashed over green and yellow, created in 1920-01-01

Figurine: Bonzo - A corker 1920s

Artwork Rhinoceros head this artwork made of Bronze, glass, timber and metal, created in 1976-01-01

Rhinoceros head c.1977

Artwork Inkwell this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled in the form of a hollow log with an owl (in mixed clay) and bush creatures. Inlaid with 'INK' and glazed green, created in 1920-01-01

Inkwell 1920

Artwork Pink galahs at Imarlkna this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built terracotta clay with underglaze colours and applied decoration, created in 2006-01-01

Pink galahs at Imarlkna 2006

Artwork Pair of figurines this artwork made of Porcelain (bisque) slip-cast with elaborately costumed figures of a male and female, created in 1870-01-01

Pair of figurines c.1870-80

Artwork Pair of ewers: Earth and air this artwork made of Hard-paste porcelain elaborately modelled with figures, foliage, animals, birds, etc. after scenes in classic mythology. Polychrome enamel and gilt, created in 1840-01-01

Pair of ewers: Earth and air c.1850s

Artwork Coat: Celebration this artwork made of Handspun and dyed wool, mohair and silk and feathers woven with silk lining, created in 1981-01-01

Coat: Celebration 1981

Artwork Lozenge-shaped dish: (pair of wolves) this artwork made of Soft-paste porcelain, slip-cast scrolled shape with basket weave design, brown and green overglaze, edged with gilt dentil, created in 1768-01-01

Lozenge-shaped dish: (pair of wolves) c.1770

Artwork Saucer this artwork made of Hard-paste porcelain decorated in green, brown, black and blue, created in 1850-01-01

Saucer c.1850-1900

Artwork Wall hanging: Detail of detail this artwork made of Rubber backed satin on hessian, cotton threads on embroidery canvas, created in 1981-01-01

Wall hanging: Detail of detail 1981

Artwork Ornament: Margaret and her cats this artwork made of Porcelain, modelled and glazed and painted with polychrome overglaze colours, created in 1980-01-01

Ornament: Margaret and her cats 1980

Artwork Ornament: Sleeping baby this artwork made of Porcelain, modelled and glazed and painted with polychrome overglaze colours, created in 1981-01-01

Ornament: Sleeping baby 1981

Artwork Sculpture: Bella casa this artwork made of Stoneware, slab built and modelled with overglaze colours and lustres with aluminium, shells, coral and framed prints, created in 1978-01-01

Sculpture: Bella casa 1978-79

Artwork Wall-piece: Where angels fear to tread no. 5 this artwork made of Earthenware, slab built with found objects, glazed and stained, created in 1994-01-01

Wall-piece: Where angels fear to tread no. 5 1994

Artwork Fan this artwork made of Porcelain clay (David Leach) slab rolled, incised and bisque fired to 950 °C surfaces refined and fired unassembled to 1280 °C, created in 1981-01-01

Fan 1981

Artwork Ornament: screen with blue dots this artwork made of Porcelain clay (David Leach) slab rolled and scraped thinner and pierced and base slab built and slot cut. Both bisque fired to 9500C surfaces sanded, sprayed underglaze colour and fired unassembled to 12800C over a 12 hour firing cycle, created in 1981-01-01

Ornament: screen with blue dots 1981

Artwork Ornament: Triangle this artwork made of Porcelain clay (David Leach and Cesco) slab rolled and scraped thinner incised and cut and prism cast and slit. Both bisque fired to 9500C. Surfaces sanded and fired unassembled to 12800C over a 12 hour firing cycle, created in 1981-01-01

Ornament: Triangle 1981

Artwork Cherry blossom slippers this artwork made of Crocheted cotton thread over wooden twig on painted wood on carved wooden stand, created in 1996-01-01

Cherry blossom slippers 1996-97

Artwork Parrot this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled parrot, with detachable head, on pedestal, in the style of Martin Bros, England. Glazed blue, green and red, created in 1931-01-01

Parrot 1931

Artwork Cigarette canister this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built mixed clay cylindrical form (Exercise 2). Incised 'SMOKES'. Lid with foliate hexagonal design, created in 1920-01-01

Cigarette canister 1920

Artwork Jug this artwork made of Earthenware, dipped running clay and incised, the handle modelled as a dragon biting the rim beneath a blue glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Jug 1920

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Small cream jug 1919

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Vase 1927

Artwork Ovoid jug this artwork made of Earthenware, two colour clays with gold slip and two inlaid cameos of reindeers and long-tongued dragon handle. Blue glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Ovoid jug c.1920s

Artwork Covered jar: Kookaburras this artwork made of Earthenware, cream and terracotta clay over white and incised with a design of kookaburras and gum leaves. Light blue glaze, created in 1929-01-01

Covered jar: Kookaburras 1929

Artwork Covered jar: Maenads this artwork made of Earthenware, gold and terracotta clay over white and incised with a design of maenads dancing between trees. Light blue glaze, created in 1925-01-01

Covered jar: Maenads c.1930

Artwork Double-walled jug this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built four-sided form with pierced outer surface and blue glaze, created in 1933-01-01

Double-walled jug 1933

Artwork Pot this artwork made of Earthenware, hand built, two colour glazes, modelled square aperture and foliate corners. Pink glaze, created in 1928-01-01

Pot 1928

Artwork Large ovoid pot this artwork made of Earthenware, hand built, mixed clay with marbleised clear green glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Large ovoid pot c.1920s

Artwork Figurine: Top dog, top frog this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with frogs on pedestal. Olive green glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Figurine: Top dog, top frog c.1920s

Artwork Figurine: Bonzo - Left this artwork made of Earthenware, red clay modelled as an abandoned dog with details in blue, created in 1924-01-01

Figurine: Bonzo - Left 1924

Artwork Figurine: Bonzo - A corker this artwork made of Earthenware, press moulded in the form of a seated dog with brown glaze splashed over green and yellow, created in 1920-01-01

Figurine: Bonzo - A corker 1920s

Artwork Miniature teapot this artwork made of Earthenware, slip cast (?) with deep blue/green glaze, created in 1925-01-01

Miniature teapot c.1930

Artwork Flask with cameo this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with five figures and glazed pink. Verso carved with foliate motifs and blue and pink glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Flask with cameo 1920s

Artwork Small straight-sided pot this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with perforated domed lid and mottled blue and red glaze, created in 1930-01-01

Small straight-sided pot c.1930s

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Small straight-sided pot c.1930s

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Miniature casket 1939

Artwork Pouter pigeon this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with a bird on a pedestal and with lustre blue glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Pouter pigeon c.1920s

Artwork Bird on a branch this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with a bird on a pedestal and glazed red and blue, created in 1920-01-01

Bird on a branch c.1920s

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Kookaburra c.1920s

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Tiny bird c.1920s

Artwork Pepper shaker this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled in the form of a bloated toad fish. Blue glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Pepper shaker c.1920s

Artwork Small covered jar: Bush scene with shed this artwork made of Earthenware, gold and terracotta clays over white, incised with a bush scene with shed and fence. Light blue glaze, created in 1925-01-01

Small covered jar: Bush scene with shed c.1930

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Ovoid pot c.1920s

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Baluster vase c.1920s

Artwork Squat specimen vase this artwork made of Earthenware, painted with butterfly motif in blue and rust, created in 1925-01-01

Squat specimen vase c.1930

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Miniature pitcher c.1935

Artwork Pair of pots this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built mixed clay with green glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Pair of pots c.1920s

Artwork Vase this artwork made of Earthenware, hand built, two colour clays with carved motifs at shoulder and gold details with green glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Vase c.1920s

Artwork Small pot this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with trees in green/brown glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Small pot c.1920s

Artwork Two covered vases this artwork made of Earthenware, one with gilt lizard and with beetle on the lid, one with metallic glazes, created in 1920-01-01

Two covered vases c.1920s

Artwork Flask with cameo of Neptune this artwork made of Earthenware, press moulded with cameo and blue and red glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Flask with cameo of Neptune c.1920s

Artwork Rotund lidded pot this artwork made of Earthenware, slip cast and incised with maiden hair fern motif beneath blue glaze, created in 1925-01-01

Rotund lidded pot c.1930

Artwork Miniature baluster pot this artwork made of Earthenware, slip cast with black and gold glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Miniature baluster pot 1920s

Artwork Miniature ovoid pot this artwork made of Earthenware, slip cast with red and blue glaze, created in 1930-01-01

Miniature ovoid pot 1930s

Artwork Miniature ovoid pot this artwork made of Earthenware, hand built, with formal iris and daisy pattern in blue, created in 1930-01-01

Miniature ovoid pot 1930s

Artwork Miniature pot with two handles this artwork made of Earthenware, hand built, mixed clay dipped cream slip and carved beneath handles. Clear glaze, created in 1919-01-01

Miniature pot with two handles 1919

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Small pot with lustre glaze 1920s

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Miniature parrot under glass c.1920s

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Ovoid pot c.1930

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Baluster pot c.1930

Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

Baluster pot c.1930

Artwork Vase this artwork made of Earthenware, slip-cast body and decorated in the double scraffito technique with rust and ochre clays with four panels of butterflies and alamandas, created in 1928-01-01

Vase 1928

Artwork Vase this artwork made of Slip-cast terracotta, with running slips and glazes, created in 1930-01-01

Vase 1930

Artwork Vase this artwork made of Slip-cast earthenware dipped rust and ochre slips and carved in the double scraffito technique, pale yellow glaze, created in 1941-01-01

Vase 1941

Artwork Vase this artwork made of Slip-cast earthenware, dipped in red and ochre slips and carved in the double scraffito technique with details in cobalt and light blue glaze, created in 1941-01-01

Vase 1941

Artwork Specimen vase this artwork made of Earthenware, several colour clays modelled with dragonfly and blue glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Specimen vase c.1920s

Artwork Hexagonal canister this artwork made of Earthenware, slab built and dipped gold and terracotta slips and incised with arabesque design, created in 1934-01-01

Hexagonal canister 1934

Artwork Small four-sided pot this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with green glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Small four-sided pot c.1920s

Artwork Swelling vase this artwork made of Earthenware, hand-built swelling cylindrical form with gold and brown clay inlay beneath green glaze, created in 1919-01-01

Swelling vase 1919

Artwork Rose bowl this artwork made of Earthenware, modelled with three handles and three formalised Tudor roses in a deep mulberry glaze, created in 1920-01-01

Rose bowl 1920

Related digital stories

A photograph of a salmon-pink, square display cabinet, displaying many colourful miniature ceramics.

‘Small Figures’

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