A large and rare pair of Chinese cloisonné and gilt bronze models of magpies

A large and rare pair of Chinese cloisonné and gilt bronze models of magpies, 18th century. Each with its head turned and beak agape to reveal a curled tongue, their wings and tails in polychrome enamels against their black bodies, the plumage picked out in gilt, one bird with damage to the feet, 37.5cm long. (2) Provenance: a Wiltshire private collection, purchased in the 1950s from Spink and Son by repute. Cf. For another cloisonné magpie in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, see S Jenyns and W Watson, Chinese Art: The MInor Arts, pl.97. Sotheby's New York, 21st September 2005, lot 211 for a smaller pair mounted on stands. See also Sotheby's London, 16th November 1976, lot 57.