Page 17 - Christie;es Marchant January 18 2018

THE ANNA-MARIA AND STEPHEN KELLEN FOUNDATION
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A RARE PAIR OF DEER WATER-DROPPERS AND COVERS
KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)
Each modeled seated with a lingzhi sprig in its jaw, the coats picked
out and spotted in white enamel, the handle in the form of a pine
bough, the covers the top of the heads with antlers
9º in. (23.5 cm.) high, overall (4)
$40,000-60,000
PROVENANCE
Possibly the pair listed as “two browne painted staggs”
in the 1688 inventory at Burghley House, England.
Sold Christie’s, London 1 November 1982, lot 371.
The collection of Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen, New York.
The spotted deer, or meihua lu (prunus blossom deer, a reference to
the markings) was often portrayed with sacred lingzhi fungus and
the long-lived pine. It was the familiar of Shoulao, and thus closely
associated with longevity. A single example, glazed yellow not brown,
was sold Christie’s, New York, 23 January 2008, lot 28.
This very rare pair seems to be one of just three pair known. One,
without covers, sold Christie’s, London, 13 July 1959; a complete
pair was sold Christie’s, London, 14 May 1968, the property of Lady
Sarah Roubanis, from the collection of the late Consuelo Vanderbilt
Balsan. It is unclear whether the complete pair is the same as the
present deer - and as the pair found in the Burghley House inventory.

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