A PAIR OF CHINESE FAMILLE ROSE PORCELAIN CRANES

Qianlong period (1736–1795), China

A pair of porcelain cranes, each modelled standing on one leg upon a pierced rockwork base, their long, curved necks and finely shaped heads turned towards one another.

The white-glazed bodies are delicately moulded and incised to delineate the plumage, with contrasting black enamel decoration to the necks, wings and tail feathers. 

Their pointed beaks are enamelled black, with distinctive iron-red crests and finely painted eyes. The irregular rockwork bases are decorated in shades of turquoise, green, blue, pink and aubergine, providing a contrast to the predominantly white birds.

Cranes have long held an important place in Chinese art, symbolising longevity, wisdom and immortality. Associated with Daoist immortals, they were believed to possess exceptional lifespans and frequently appear alongside pine trees, peaches and other emblems of long life.

Their graceful forms also made them popular subjects for porcelain figures produced during the eighteenth century, both for Chinese interiors and for export to Europe.

The naturalistic modelling, carefully articulated feathers and contrasting enamel colours are characteristic of Chinese porcelain animal figures produced during the Qianlong period.