J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York

29.
A GROUP OF SIX GILT BRONZE BIRDS

Eastern Han Dynasty, Late 2nd - Early 3rd Century A.D.

each shown silhouetted in profile, including two very similar confronted pairs of crested birds shown in a lively pose, striding forward with wings displayed and beak open, with long scrolled-up tail feathers on one bird and high arching tail feathers on the other bird, the gilded surface of each engraved with extensive linear details and feather markings, the third pair of confronted birds shown with wings widely spread as if in flight or about to take off, the tail feathers scrolled up at the back and with one large feather carefully engraved in detail and pierced with a large 'eye' at the end, similar to a peacock's tail feathers, the surface of both birds with extensive linear detailing and feather markings, with their large eyes and many other details highlighted in gilding on a silvered ground, the thin bronze showing bright green corrosion widely scattered around the edges.

Lengths 8 ³⁄₄ inches to 10 ¹⁄₈ inches (22.2 cm to 25.7 cm)