A pair of Chinese Export famille rose pheasants, Qianlong period. Photo: Christie's Images Ltd., 2012

Each bird modeled with an alert expression, its eyes picked out in black, its breast iron-red, the colorful plumage on its back enriched with gilt highlights, perched on mottled rockwork bases 13 in. (33 cm.) high (2). Estimate $40,000 - $60,000

Provenance: Anonymous sale; Christie's, London, 2 November 1992, lot 180.

Acquired from Heirloom & Howard Ltd., Wiltshire

Notes: Pairs of this classic model have been sold Sotheby's, London, 6 November 1973, lot 210; Christie's, London, 17 March 1975, lot 74; Sotheby's, Monaco, 23 June 1986, lot 1267; and Christie's, New York, 26 January 2006, lot 45. A smaller pair in the Hodroff Collection is illustrated by D.S. Howard (op. cit., p. 262) where he comments that "They represent the finest and most natural models of pheasants made, and would have been at the top of the price range available to the private merchant."

Christie's. Chinese Export Art. 23 January 2012. New York, Rockefeller Plaza www.christies.com