A PAIR OF BIRD-FORM SMALL TUREENS AND COVERS QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

each modeled as a crouching waterbird, possibly a mandarin duck or watercock, with brightly painted iron-red, green, brown, yellow and purple plumage, red crest and gilt beak (4)

One cover has been broken into two pieces behind the neck and reglued. Its crest has been reglued. The other cover with a small chip on the tail. Slight wear to the gilding to both, and there are variation on the enamels between the two. The covers match but are very slightly ill-fitting. In otherwise good condition.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A pair of tureens of this rare form is illustrated by Michael Cohen and William Motley, Mandarin and Menagerie, Chinese and Japanese Export Figures, Volume I: The James E. Sowell Collection, no. 17.8, pp. 254-255, where the authors suggest a date of 1760 for the model, and discuss the difficulty of identifying the exact species of bird represented. Another similar pair of this was sold in our London rooms, 24th June 1980, lot 142 (catalogued as partridge), and again at Christie's New York, 21st January 1999, lot 193 (catalogued as ducks).