CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, EPOQUE QIANLONG (1736-1795)

Writing in The Copeland Collection, p. 146, W.R. Sargent notes that hawks were considered symbolic of strength and boldness by the Chinese, and that falconry and hawking were fashionable sport in both China and Europe. A smaller pair of hawks in this kind of ware was sold at Christie's New York, 21 January 2003, lot 233 and a pair of brown hawks sold at 23 January 2008, lot 39 also at Christie's New York.