A PAIR OF 'FAMILLE-ROSE' CHINESE EXPORT MODELS OF HAWKS QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

each modelled with stern features and a penetrating gaze, finely rendered in brown and grey enamels with feathers enhanced with gilt, perched on a rocky green and blue-enamelled base with one leg raised

The pair of hawks are in good condition with the exception of the follwoing minor flakes and glaze firing imperfections: One bird has minor rubbing to the iron-red decoration on its beak and a 0.7 x 0.4cm enamel flake from one of its claws. The other bird has fritting along the ridge of its beak, some minor flaking to the enamels on the leg, claws and rock base.
"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."

A related pair of hawks formerly in the collection of J.A. Lloyd Hyde and now in the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, is illustrated in W.R. Sargent, The Copeland Collection, Salem, 1991, pl. 79; another pair sold in these rooms, 11^th November 1997, lot 179; and a third pair was sold at Christie's London, 15^th May 2007, lot 411. See also a pair of hawks, but with domed rockwork decorated in underglaze blue, in the Hodroff collection, published in David S. Howard, The Choice of the Private Trader, London, 1994, pl. 317.