A pair of gilt-bronze mounted stoneware ducks, the stoneware Japanese or Chinese, late 18th century, the mounts late 18th century

each on a rectangular gilt-bronze base

The illustration of the catalogue is accurate. Each stoneware duck had been damaged, broken and restored. One duck is restored to the neck, to one wing and to the hindquarters; the other to the hindquarters. The restorations are very well made and visible only with a wood lamp. The gilding of the bases is rubbed and tarnished, especially to the flat surfaces.
"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."

Examples of Chinese polychrome porcelain ducks are in the collections of both the Philadelphia Museum of Art (1972-50-42b) and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (974.356.542, 543).

These partly enamelled stoneware animals made in China or Japan, are very characteristic of the taste of Collectors of the second half of the 18th century. Several of these types of object are mentioned in the sale catalogues of the time. For example, the 1748 sale of Mr Angran, Viscount of Fonspertuis, lot 200 which presented a figure of a daguet, and a model of a young doe was sold from the Guiraud Collection, December 10, 1971, lot 10. Furthermore, a pair of buffaloes are cited in the Gaignat sale of 1769, lot 113, together with hawks and eagles described under lots 119 and 120. The Gaignat sale of 1768 is cited in the note to Lot 32 in the present catalogue.

The inventory after the death of Jacques-Laure Letonnelier of Breteuil, Bailiff of Breteuil, established on 31 August, 1785 mentions at number 463, Deux canards d'ancienne terre des Indes 24 livres. In the sale of 16 January, 1786 at Lot 174, two Japanese ducks of similar size are described as, Deux canards d'ancienne terre du Japon, dont quelques parties sont vernissées ; tous deux posés sur des plinthes de forme ronde à moulure et brettées. Hauteur 11 pouces, largeur 8 pouces , 120 livres à Julliot.

A pair of ducks without mounts from the Collection of Mrs. Henry Farman has been sold in Paris, 15 March 1973, lot 15.