QIANLONG

This tureen was probably once paired with a similar tureen, modelled with the bird's wings raised in a higher position. For a tureen of this latter type, see E. Gordon, op.cit., 1978, no.81, p.84; another from the Jakob Goldschmidt collection, was exhibited Chinesische Kunst, Berlin, 1929, Catalogue, no.1051, p.383. A pair of tureens, enamelled primarily in shades of brown with gilt details, is illustrated by G. A. Godden, op.cit., 1979, fig.179, p.253, also illustrated by W. Sargent, op.cit., 1991, p.172, fig.80a; however only one of these is in the Copeland Collection, illustrated on colour pl.80. Mr. Sargent suggests that due to the small size of the compartment of these vessels, they would not have been suitable for food, and would therefore be more likely to have been made as boxes and covers. A very similar tureen to the present lot was sold in these Rooms, 13 May 1996, lot 160; and another in our New York Rooms, 19 and 20 January 1996, lot 242. A pair of related hawk tureens and covers, from the Florence J. Gould Collection, was sold Sotheby's Monaco, 27 June 1984, lot 1427.