Page 106 - Christie's, Important Chinese Works of Art, Hong Kong Dec 3 2021

THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
女史珍藏
2958

A PAIR OF CLOISONNE ENAMEL FIGURES A very similar pair of cloisonné enamel qilin, of slightly smaller size
(27.6 cm. long), from the Mandel Collection, was sold at Christie's Hong
OF QILIN Kong, 30 May 2012, lot 3918. A larger figure of similar type
QING DYNASTY, 18TH-19TH CENTURY (49.5 cm. long) in the Qing Court Collection is illustrated in The
Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Metal-bodied
Each mythical beast is shown standing foursquare with jaws open, Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, p. 168, pl. 160.
the long whiskers swept back under the horns, and the curly brows The qilin is an auspicious symbol of longevity, fertility and wise
raised above the eyes. The head is decorated with a pattern of small administration, as it only appears during the reign of a benevolent ruler.
red squares on a blue ground, and the body with turquoise and It is also associated with the Confucian virtue of ren, as it is benevolent
blue scales. to all living creatures. When combined with a boy seated on its back,
12Ω in. (31.8 cm.) long (2) the qilin represents the bringing of illustrious sons.
HK$400,000-600,000 US$52,000-77,000
清十八 / 十九世紀 掐絲琺瑯麒麟一對
PROVENANCE 來源
Sold at Christie's New York, 18 September 2014, lot 632
紐約佳士得，2014 年 9 月 18 日，拍品 632 號

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