Page 112 - Yamanaka co Auction catalog

186-ELABORATE CHINESE BIRDCAGE (Ch'ien-lung)
Ivory and black lacquer, surmounted by a lapis-blue ball
and a white-metal mounting for suspension. The equipment
is varied and ornate, including decorated white porcelain
water and feed cups, a circular mirror for the birds, which
is backed by a delicately carved ivory disc of diaper open-
work enclosing two figures in a dugout boat crossing roll-
ing waves; ivory worm-tongs, and a jade thumb-ring sus-
pended outside for use in taking down the cage. Additional
ornament includes a carved white jade pendant, and various
ivory carvings of dragons, birds, trees and flowers, in-
tricately and delicately accomplished, placed about the ribs,
while the outer band of the lacquered bottom is further
decorated with trees, rocks and flowers in soapstone ap-
plique, and rests on ivory feet carved in openwork.
Height, 13% inches (including mounting, 21 inches); diameter, 14 inches.
(Illustrated in Color)

187-ANTIQUE CHINESE BLACK LACQUER BIRDCAGE (Ch'ien-lung)
Dome-shape, the top rising to an ivory finial carved with a
dragon among clouds in which the pearl of omnipotence is
embedded. Two jade feed cups, ivory worm-tongs deli-
cately carved, various other carved ivories of use and adorn-
ment, and a water cup of Ch'ien-lung porcelain glazed in
a deep, brilliant lapis-blue. The base is painted in various
lacquers with branches of the plum and peony, and of the
pomegrana te flowers and fruit, with birds perched upon
them. Beneath the bottom is a jade drop from which hangs
a pendant of coral beads in twenty strands. Metal mount-
mgs. Ivory feet.
H ei,qht of cage, 23 inches; diameter, 1414 inches.