CHINA, QING DYNASTY, JIAQING PERIOD (1796-1820)

The crane is one of the most auspicious birds in China and a popular motif in Chinese religion, mythology and literature. In the Huainanzi, a collection of essays that led to debates held in the court of Prince of Huainan in the 2nd century BCE, it is argued that the crane’s life is ‘up to 1,000 years, during which it can fly freely to its heart’s content.’ Given this impressive lifespan, cranes are also symbols of immortality and longevity, particularly red-crowned cranes, like the present lot. A related pair of cranes sold at Christie's Paris, 6 July 2022, lot 65; another pair from the Mandel Collection sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30 May 2012, lot 3924.