A PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ‘BIRD’ CANDLESTICKS, QIANLONG PERIODChina, 1736-1795. Each bird modeled standing with outstretched wings, the plumage finely enameled in white and accentuated in dark blue near the wings and beaks, the feathers well detailed in gilt wire, the head lowered supporting the drip pans decorated with floral motifs on turquoise ground, the beak holding a ball, and standing on gilt clawed feet.Provenance: From an old Austrian private collection.Condition: Good conditionmensurate with age. Some wear, the figures leaning, with warping, bends, obvious losses, minor nicks and dents, and expected touch. The wood stands with few nicks and light surface scratches.Weight: 425 g and 440 g (excl. base), 514 g and 520 g (incl. base)Dimensions: Height 24.8 cm and 25.7 cm (excl. base), 28.6 cm and 29 cm (incl. base)With two fitted wood stands, dating from the late Qing dynasty to the Republic period. (4)Literatureparison:Compare a single cloisonné bird candlestick with cloisonné stand, described as petrel, dated to the mid-Qing period, from the Qing Court Collection at the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Theplete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, p. 159, pl. 151.pare also a closely related pair from the National Palace Museum, illustrated in Chen Hsia-Sheng, Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 55. A related example from a private collection is illustrated in Zhang Xin, ed., Colorful, Elegant, and Exquisite: A Special Exhibition of Imperial Enamel Ware from Mr. Robert Chang's Collection, Suzhou, 2007, p. 72. Another related cloisonné bird candlestick holder, formerly in the Kitson Collection, is illustrated in Sir Harry Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamels, London, 1970, pl. 74B.Auction resultparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: London, 5 November 2009, lot 42Price: GBP 20,400 or approx.EUR 37,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A rare pair of cloisonné enamel 'bird and tortoise' candlesticks, QianlongExpert remark:pare the related pose, colors, and size (24.4 cm). Note the cloisonné bases.乾隆時期一對銅胎掐絲琺瑯鳥形燭檯中國，1736-1795年。每隻鳥都張開雙翼站立，羽毛以白色精美琺瑯描繪，並在翅膀和喙附近以深藍色突出，羽毛用鎏金線條突出細節。鳥低著頭，頭頂綠松石色地纏枝花卉紋的滴盤，鳥爪鎏金。