Bidspirit auction | Very Rare Pair Chinese Export

Very Rare Pair Chinese Export Monkey Figures - A very rare pair of Chinese export porcelain monkey figures, Qianlong ca. 1780. Depicted seated on grassy bases, each holding a peach in the left hand. The fur markings in grisaille and the face and chest in pale blue. Figures of monkeys were imported into Great Britain early in the 18th century with many references beginning around 1704 and continuing onwards. They were often depicted holding a peach, a symbol of longevity. Provenance: Christie's, London, ”Fine Chinese Export Porcelain, ” 12 November 1985, Lot 289; The Distinguished Collection of Leo & Doris Hodroff. (Each, approximately) Height: 6 1/2 in x width: 4 1/2 in x depth: 4 in. Condition: To the darker monkey, there are restorations to the right arm, the right foot, the lower right side of the monkey's body that rests along the foliate element, the left hand, and the area below the left hand where the hand touches the left knee. There is a loss along the monkey's nose. There are losses along the high points of the monkey's left ear. There is a minute loss to the left eye, visible only upon very close inspection. There is a chip along the right ear and right elbow. To the monkey's left thumb, there is a loss that has been partially painted over. There are small chips along the right toes. There are small scattered chips along the foliate elements. Along the monkey's back, there is a small, rounded loss to the glaze, surrounded by minute white accretions that fluoresce under UV light. There are fleabite to small-sized chips along the underside. There are two small cracks, or possibly linear firing flaws along the underside. To the lighter monkey, there are restorations to the right arm, to the lower right side of the body, and to the tip of the foliate element below the right arm. Along the monkey's face, there is a diagonal area that fluoresces under UV light, extending from above the right eye to above the left side of the mouth. There is a rounded loss along the upper right lip of the mouth. There are small chips and losses along the left fingers and right toes. Along each of the ears, there are fleabite chips that appear to have been painted over. There are small chips or losses to the foliate eleements. There are scattered, rounded firing flaws. The back, right side of the monkey is lightly textured. There are fleabite to small-sized chips along the underside. There are linear firing flaws along the underside and visible along the interior.