These figures in Bonhams March 6th sale in Bond Street were made around 1740, and were given this unusual nodding facility in their design, “simply because the makers could” says Marco Almeida of Bonhams Asian Art Department. “It gave these beautiful objects another level of interest that was amusing.”

Lot 65 in Bonhams March 6 sale is described as: “A fine and rare pair of famille rose ‘nodding head’ ladies Yongzheng/early Qianlong period. Boldly modelled in mirror image these elegant standing maidens, wear long flowing turquoise-blue robes enriched with clouds and shaped medallions enclosing pine, bamboo and willow trees, above rouge-de-fer skirts with black and gilt wave hems, holding a lingzhi branch to their respective left and right shoulder, the faces rendered with a serene expression and wearing cushion-shaped head-dresses. They stand 41cm (16in) high and are estimated to sell for £40,000-60,000.

Posted: 02|20|07 at 8:12 am. Filed under: UK News.