AN IVORY 'QUAIL' BOX AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD |

naturalistically modelled seated with its legs tucked underneath its plump body, the upper half of the body forming the cover perfectly fitted along the scalloped edges on the box, its head turned to one side and detailed with rounded eyes and a short beak, the body carved with plumage and the claws with fine stippling, all supported on leafy millet stems around the legs and claws, the interior hollowed with a double-gourd-shaped aperture, wood stand