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Lot Essay
Cloisonné enamel animals of this quality are quite rare. The depiction of a chimera rather than the more usual buddhistic lions is unusual. The qilin is associated with the Confucian virtue of ren or benevolence towards one's fellow creatures and is also the traditional bringer of infants.
The closest example, although later than the current piece, is a pair of cloisonné and champlevé enamel 'chimera' censers sold in our New York Rooms, 30 May 2005, lot 153.
For a comparable quality of enamelling and attention to details, see the pair of Qianlong cloisonné and champlevé enamel figures of qilin from the C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love Collection sold in our New York Rooms, 20 October 2004, lot 610.
See also another example of Qianlong cloisonné enamel chimera, although less powerful and expressive than the current one, illustrated in Metal-bodied Enamel Ware - The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong 2002, p.123, pl.119.
The closest example, although later than the current piece, is a pair of cloisonné and champlevé enamel 'chimera' censers sold in our New York Rooms, 30 May 2005, lot 153.
For a comparable quality of enamelling and attention to details, see the pair of Qianlong cloisonné and champlevé enamel figures of qilin from the C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love Collection sold in our New York Rooms, 20 October 2004, lot 610.
See also another example of Qianlong cloisonné enamel chimera, although less powerful and expressive than the current one, illustrated in Metal-bodied Enamel Ware - The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong 2002, p.123, pl.119.