20TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL SHEEP
20TH CENTURY
Each with a black head turned to the side and decorated with a pattern of stylized birds, the plinth decorated to the top with floral motifs mimicking a carpet interrupted with an Arabic inscription to the front edge within a panel, raised on a scrolling-edged rectangular base
41 in. (104 cm.) high; 34 ½ in. (87.5 cm.) wide; 22 ½ in. (57 cm.) deep

Special notice

These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction. This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Brought to you by

Giles Forster

gforster@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2146

Lot Essay

Massive cloisonné enamel figures of animals standing on plinths are seen as early as the Qianlong period, such as the figure of an elephant supporting a vase on its back (170 cm. high) in the Qing Court Collection, Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum - 43 - Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pp. 142-43, pl. 137. However, unlike the scroll decoration on the body of the elephant, the maker of this pair of sheep attempted a more realistic depiction, using tightly scrolled gilt wires to imitate the curly coat of the animal. Pairs of cloisonné enamel sheep, also with Arabic inscriptions, of sizes comparable to that of the present figures were sold at Christie's New York, 18 September 2014, lot 649 and 16 September 2016, lot 1262

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