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拍品专文
In China geese are considered romantic, symbolizing loyalty. They are said to fly always in pairs and to mate for life, even remaining solitary if the mate dies. Flying geese are also believed to deliver good news, and mean the best of luck.
Rare, very large figures like the present examples may be based on and inspired by the porcelain swans produced by Kändler at Meissen in the mid-18th century, although these heavy legs and feet and the horny knob on the bird's bill are more characteristic of Chinese geese. The Chinese pieces were made in several steps, with the detailing of the feathers and heads fundamentally accomplished in the mold, but probably refined by hand afterwards. On the underside are two circular unglazed patches where firing supports were applied. Their open mouths were the only escape for air during the firing process.
See William R. Sargent, The Copeland Collection, 1991 p. 239 for a similar, smaller single example. See also Sotheby's London, The Ionides Collection, 18 February 1964, lot 273, and Sotheby's New York, the Estate of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 30 April - 3 May, 1980, lot 538, for further smaller-scale examples
Rare, very large figures like the present examples may be based on and inspired by the porcelain swans produced by Kändler at Meissen in the mid-18th century, although these heavy legs and feet and the horny knob on the bird's bill are more characteristic of Chinese geese. The Chinese pieces were made in several steps, with the detailing of the feathers and heads fundamentally accomplished in the mold, but probably refined by hand afterwards. On the underside are two circular unglazed patches where firing supports were applied. Their open mouths were the only escape for air during the firing process.
See William R. Sargent, The Copeland Collection, 1991 p. 239 for a similar, smaller single example. See also Sotheby's London, The Ionides Collection, 18 February 1964, lot 273, and Sotheby's New York, the Estate of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 30 April - 3 May, 1980, lot 538, for further smaller-scale examples