A pair of famille rose porcelain cock birds
出口粉彩瓷公雞一對

Circa 1750 A.D., Chinese Export.
約1750年

Height: 37cm
高：37釐米

Each is modelled with a head looking over its right and left-wing respectively and stands upon one yellow enamelled leg above a brown and sepia rockwork base – the second leg tucked up against the chest. The combs and wattles are painted in orange – the cape, breast, and back executed in shades of pink enamel. The feathers are highlighted with yellow and white – and are particularly finely drawn. The tail feathers and lesser sickle feathers on the wings are enamelled in black and white – the details having been scratched through the porcelain before firing.

The homophone “ji” provides the double meaning of cock bird and fortunate, thus making these birds symbols of good luck.

Similar Examples

The Copeland Collection, ‘Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures’, The Peabody Museum of Salem by William Sargent, figure 65.

There is a further pair in the Queen Mother’s collection, Clarence House, London.