18TH/19TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF IVORY 'QUAIL' BOXES AND COVERS
18TH/19TH CENTURY
Each naturalistically hollowed and carved as a resting quail, the body and wings forming the cover, the head with wood-inlaid eyes looking up with a pierced open short beak, the underside of the box carved in relief with a flowering millet stem around the legs and claws, hollowed with a double-gourd-shaped aperture
4½ in. (11.5 cm.) long, wood stands (2)

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

A similar ivory quail box and cover is illustrated in Chinese Ivories from the Kwan Collection, Hong Kong 1990, p. 336, fig. 175. The subject is more frequently found in jade, see Chinese Jades from the Collection of the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, 1989, p. 94, col. pl. 73

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