KANGXI PERIOD

Cockerels in the famille verte palette are very rare and are usually dated to the early 18th century. They represent a more colouful variation to the standard blanc de Chine examples of bird models, which were often additionally embellished in the West with red, gold and black enamels. A European cold-enamelled example of this type, imitating the famille verte tradition, is in the Rijksmuseum Collection, Amsterdam, illustrated, Jörg, op. cit., p. 322, fig. 382. It was acquired in 1817 for the Royal Cabinet of Curiosities.

For similar Chinese famille verte examples, compare cockerels exhibited and illustrated, International Exhibition of Chinese Art, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1935-6, Catalogue Nos. 1849 and 1850. Also see Howard and Ayers, op. cit., vol. II, p. 582, pl. 603.