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In China geese are considered romantic, symbolizing loyalty and marital happiness. They are said to fly always in pairs and to mate for life, even remaining solitary if a mate dies. Flying geese are also believed to deliver good news, and mean the best of luck. The heavy legs and feet and the horny knob on these birds' bills are characteristic of Chinese geese; geese are known in Chinese ceramics as early as the Han dynasty. The concept of very large porcelain models, however, may well have been inspired by the porcelain swans produced by Kändler at Meissen in the mid-18th century. On the underside are two circular unglazed patches where supports were applied; their open mouths were the only escape for air during the firing process. For smaller examples see William R. Sargent, The Copeland Collection, 1991 p. 239; The Ionides Collection, Sotheby's, London, 18 February 1964, lot 273; and the Estate of Nelson A. Rockefeller, Sotheby's, New York, 30 April 1980, lot 538. Another massive pair was sold Christie's, New York, 21 May 2003, lot 102. The Tibor Collection was formed over decades, growing to encompass every category of Chinese export porcelain, from small, charming teawares to massive pairs of important jars. The collector had a deep appreciation for the magnificent porcelains made for New Spain as well as for the lifelike charm and elegance of Chinese porcelain figure and animal models.
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Chinese Export Art Featuring Property from the Tibor Collection
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Condition report
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Each bird with some areas of crizzling and of thinning to the glaze, mainly to the top of the head, including the knob, of the taller goose, and to the tail, one side of neck and just below of the bent goose. No breaks on either neck apparent to eye or under UV light. The tall goose with a very fine, long glaze line across the folded wings near the tail that continues down about halfway on one side. Some very fine glaze cracks or crazing on each side around a very small kiln flaw at the back of the neck near its base. This goose with a small area of tiny frits to one wing tip edge and a small spot of touch-up on one side of his top beak. The right foot restuck with restoration to the ankle; the left foot possibly restuck. The bent goose has a long, fine, lightly stained horizontal luting line on one side with a 1 in. perpendicular very fine glaze line extending near the back. The left foot restuck. Overall quite good condition for figures, especially of this large size. The modeling is superb and the pair presents impressively.
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Lot 99Sale 19271
LATE 18TH/EARLY 19TH CENTURYA MASSIVE PAIR OF GEESEEstimate: USD 20,000 - 30,000
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