A pair of carved and painted wood chinoiserie figures, Northern European, mid 18th century. Photo Sotheby's

each with nodding heads, wearing red and blue robe;s female figure 79cm. high, male figure 75cm. high; 2ft. 6in., 2ft. 5½in. Estimate 12,000-18,000 GBP

Note: A group of related Chinese Export figures in painted clay are in the collection of the Peabody Museum, Salem, Massachusetts and are illustrated in Carl Crossman,Decorative Arts of the China Trade, 1998, p.317, pl.112 . Other examples can be seen in Sweden in the chinoiserie interiors at the Drottningholm Palace and in 1777 over a hundred were recorded there called `China dolls' and were collected to provide an authentic view of Chinese life, with many representing artisans in various occupations. Although these examples are of Chinese origin, European examples were also made such as the present lot, following these examples, to furnish the fashionable chinoiserie interiors of the mid 18th century.

Sotheby's. Arts of Europe. London | 10 juil. 2013, 02:00 PM - www.sothebys.com