Two Patinated Metal Birds
7 ½"H
Pair of patinated metal birds, each modeled standing with a long curved neck, open beak and crested head of three bud-tipped plumes, the hollow body raised on slender legs with splayed three-toed feet and fitted with a tall upright fan-shaped tail. Engraved overall with feather, scale and scrolling foliate motifs, the breast centered by a gilt arabesque cartouche, with gilt detail to the eye and head. Unmarked.
Condition: Good. Scattered oxidation and verdigris overall, heaviest at the legs, feet, beaks and crests. Rubbing and scattered losses to the gilt decoration on both birds. Reverses of the tails with dark staining, discoloration and shallow dents; light surface pitting throughout. Solder joins and solder residue visible at the tail-to-body junctions and undersides, consistent with construction. Slight flexing to the sheet-metal tails; both stand steadily.
7 ½"H
Pair of patinated metal birds, each modeled standing with a long curved neck, open beak and crested head of three bud-tipped plumes, the hollow body raised on slender legs with splayed three-toed feet and fitted with a tall upright fan-shaped tail. Engraved overall with feather, scale and scrolling foliate motifs, the breast centered by a gilt arabesque cartouche, with gilt detail to the eye and head. Unmarked.
Condition: Good. Scattered oxidation and verdigris overall, heaviest at the legs, feet, beaks and crests. Rubbing and scattered losses to the gilt decoration on both birds. Reverses of the tails with dark staining, discoloration and shallow dents; light surface pitting throughout. Solder joins and solder residue visible at the tail-to-body junctions and undersides, consistent with construction. Slight flexing to the sheet-metal tails; both stand steadily.
