antique bronze statues and gilt bronzes chinese and Indian sculptures antique chinese porcelain examples Welcome   Our Collections Bronzes and Metalwork Exhibitions Early Ceramics Contact Enamels Furniture   Himalayan   Indian   Ivory and Raino Horn   Lacqoer   Porcelain   Sculpture   Southeast Asian   Works of Art Pair of cloisonné enamel cockerels Qianlong period, 1736 – 1795 Height: 36.8 cm | 14 1/2 in Click image for full-size version Both birds stand with heads held high – one looking to the left, the other to the right. Their combs, wattles and faces are enamelled in deep red – with stippled metalwork holding the enamel in place. The wirework feathers are well defined, and the enamelled colours vibrant; the necks and backs are in yellow, their breasts yellow shaded with black, the undersides black, and the wings in red and blue. The tail feathers are enamelled in black and yellow, and have bold gilt metal edges – three of the top tail feathers are free standing and removable. The birds’ legs, claws and beaks are gilt metal. The cockerel (gongji), or rooster, is a common motif found in Chinese decorative arts; they are symbols of good luck, since the homophone ‘ji’ provides the double meaning of ‘cockerel’ and ‘fortunate’. There are five virtues attributed to the bird – these being literary spirit signified by the comb; warlike disposition by the spurs; courage, as he encounters his enemies; benevolence, as he clucks for the hens while scratching up grain; and faithfulness, as he crows upon the hour.