A Pair of Hawks

This well modelled pair of Chinese export stoneware hawks are painted realistically in brown with speckled feathers. The head slightly turned to the side in alert pose, one foot standing on a pierced rockwork base, the other tucked into the breast. Both models with piercing stare and regal demeanour.

In Chinese art hawks were considered symbolic of strength, heroism and boldness – falconry was a very fashionable sport in China at that time.