Important Americana: Silver, Chinese Export, and Prints
Important Americana: Silver, Chinese Export, and Prints
Property from the Estate of Alexis Gregory, sold to benefit the Alexis Gregory Foundation
A Large Pair of Chinese Export Figures of Cranes, Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period | 清乾隆 粉彩仙鶴擺件一對
Lot Closed
January 22, 07:11 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Property from the Estate of Alexis Gregory, sold to benefit the Alexis Gregory Foundation
A Large Pair of Chinese Export Figures of Cranes
Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period
清乾隆 粉彩仙鶴擺件一對
each modeled perched atop pierced multicolored rockwork with one leg raised, wings folded and head turned to the side, feathers at the neck and tail left unglazed and colored in black
height of taller 17 1/4 in.; 43.8 cm
A symbol of longevity, and believed to have a lifespan for over one thousand years, cranes are often depicted with a deer and parasol tree in reference to the Chinese rebus of helu tongchun, meaning 'may husband and wife enjoy longevity together'. For further discussion on the significance of cranes in Chinese art, see Terese Tse Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, 2006, pp. 178-181. Chinese export cranes of this size are rare. A nearly identical pair, sold in our London rooms, June 27th, 1974, lot 234. Another pair formerly in the collection of Elizabeth Paske Firestone, sold at Christie's New York, March 22nd, 1991, lot 601, and again at Christie's New York, April 16th, 2002, lot 54.