A striking pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel mythical beasts, each modeled seated with open mouth, prominent fangs, single horn and curled ears. The dark ground bodies are finely decorated with gilt wirework forming overlapping scales, with turquoise-blue and white enamel highlights to the neck and back and gilt details to the faces, horns and paws.
Each beast is separately modeled and fitted into an elaborate carved hardwood display stand formed as pierced rockwork with lingzhi fungus. The stand is specifically carved to accommodate the figures.
Date: Late Qing dynasty / early 20th century, circa 1880–1920
Dimensions: beasts approximately 15 cm high; stand 32 cm long; overall height approximately 24 cm at tallest point.
Condition: Age-related wear and rubbing to the gilding and enamels; old collection/price labels to bases.
A striking pair of Chinese cloisonné enamel mythical beasts, each modeled seated with open mouth, prominent fangs, single horn and curled ears. The dark ground bodies are finely decorated with gilt wirework forming overlapping scales, with turquoise-blue and white enamel highlights to the neck and back and gilt details to the faces, horns and paws.
Each beast is separately modeled and fitted into an elaborate carved hardwood display stand formed as pierced rockwork with lingzhi fungus. The stand is specifically carved to accommodate the figures.
Date: Late Qing dynasty / early 20th century, circa 1880–1920
Dimensions: beasts approximately 15 cm high; stand 32 cm long; overall height approximately 24 cm at tallest point.
Condition: Age-related wear and rubbing to the gilding and enamels; old collection/price labels to bases.
