A large cloisonné enamel standing crane Late 18th/19th century
140
Another Owner
A large cloisonné enamel standing crane
Late 18th/19th century
Modelled in two parts with the head raised to the right, the wing feathers grey and white, the neck and thighs with gilt and white decoration, fixed wood stand.
Overall 74cm (29in) high (4).
Sold for £10,000 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • 十八世紀晚期/十九世紀 掐絲琺瑯仙鶴

    Cranes are considerd to be auspicious creatures, symbolic of longevity due to their long life and white feathers associated with old age. They are often depicted with Shoulao, the Star God of Longevity. The Chinese word for crane is he, which is a homophone for the word for harmony. Their long legs were described as resonating with the harmonies of nature and Heaven.

    Pairs of cloisonné enamel cranes adorned the Qing Dynasty Imperial throne rooms and can be seen in situ in Imperial halls such as the Taihe Dian (Hall of Supreme Harmony) and the Qianqing Gong (Palace of Heavenly Purity); see The Complete Collections of the Palace Museum: Furniture of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (II), Hong Kong, 2002, pls.247 and 248.

    Compare a slightly smaller similar pair, Qianlong period, from the Mary Neame Collection, illustrated by Sir H. Garner in Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamel, London, 1962, pl.75.

Category: Asian Art / Chinese Works of Art

Auction terms and conditions

Contacts

Chinese Art (UK) Bonhams
Work
Work +44 20 7468 8248
FaxFax: +44 20 7495 5251
Auction Administration - Chinese Works of Art