A RARE BRONZE OF A RED-CROWNED CRANE, LATE MING

A RARE BRONZE OF A RED-CROWNED CRANE, LATE MING
China, 17th century. Elaborately cast, the bird stands tall with feet apart, head with red crown raised high, the open beak exposing the tongue, finely detailed feathers to its body.

Provenance: From a private estate.
Condition: Old repairs to neck and legs, hardly visible. Some wear and traces of use.

Weight: 5.1 kilograms including base
Dimensions: Height including base 63.5 cm

In China, cranes were held in high esteem, known as a first rank bird. Their images were embroidered onto the robes of many high-ranking officials. There are multitudes of crane statues, carvings and embroideries within the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace in Beijing. The red-crowned crane is the species mostly depicted in Chinese artwork. It was selected by the Chinese government as the national animal of China.

Mounted to a wooden base, dating to around 1900. (2)

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