31 | A PAIR OF CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL RAMS Qianlong mark & period 1736-1795 AD China These archaistic rams are inspired by Han dynasty bronze prototypes. They are both recumbent and look straight ahead - with heads held up and mouths open. Each has a gilt bronze goatee beard, and horns that sweep back as one. The bodies are decorated with red and yellow flower heads and multi coloured scrolling leaves against a turquoise ground. Stylised wings in green enamel and scaled wire work flank each animal around the shoulders, and the design is repeated on the hindquarters. A gilt bronze tail swoops down each rear - accentuated by the vertical wire work and black enamel that surrounds it. In contrast, the chest and underside of the rams are decorated with a stylised ruyi head design, in a continuous line of pink and white enamel. A square plaque is set into the enamel on the underside of each animal (between the two front legs) - bearing the moulded Imperial Qianlong mark. Length: 8 3/8" / 21.2 cm Similar examples: 'The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum' Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Commercial Press, Hong Kong 2002 - fig. 119. 'Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamels' by Sir Harry Garner - Faber and Faber, London 1962 - fig. 68B: this model in The Victoria and Albert Museum, London is an incense burner in two parts. Also, illustrated in fig. 96C is a moulded four character mark of the same type. Compare: 'Ancient Chinese Bronzes' by William Watson, Faber and Faber, London 1962 - fig. 84A: an illustration of a lamp in the form of a recumbent ram dating from the Han dynasty (circa 2nd century BC). This type of archaic bronze would have been the inspiration behind 18th century cloisonné enamel versions.