A cloisonné enamel 'bird and tortoise' pricket candlestick Each bird modelled with outstretched white enamelled wings, the feathers well detailed in gilt wire, standing with gilt clawed feet atop the green, turquoise and blue enamelled tortoise embracing paired red enamelled serpents, all within a saucer raised on gilt humanoid feet, the rim and base with lotus scrolls, the exterior walls with upright petals.H:23CM L:12CM• Similar cloisonné enamel bird and tortoise candlesticks from the Qing Court Collection at the Palace Museum, Beijing, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl.151; for a pair from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, see Chen Hsia-Sheng, Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ching Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl.55. For a similar pair from Poly Auction Beijing , 6 Dec 2011,lot5283( realized price USD 224,250) See also a similar pair sold in Bonhams New Bond Street salerooms, 5 Nov 2009, lot 42.All examples, though illustrating an identical concept of design, conveying the wish for 'peace under heaven', show certain variations in their modelling and detail of decoration. The creative playfulness and fascination during the Qianlong period with imitating forms of materials extended to the creation of similar objects in different materials. The present lot is an example of this, with similar candlesticks also found carved from jade such as a related spinach-green jade 'duck and tortoise' pricket candlestick in the Forbidden City, illustrated by Y.Wan, S.Wang and Y.Lu, eds., Life in the Forbidden City of Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2007, fig.205. See also a pair of similar candlesticks from the Lady Lever Art Gallery Collection, illustrated by S.C.Nott, Chinese Jade Throughout the Ages, Vermont, 1973, pl.XCI.• The tortoise (gui), one of the four revered ancient animals, symbolises the North and is often depicted with a snake, as in the present example. Tortoises represent the creation of all beings and also symbolise longevity, since they were believed to live for ten thousand years. A bird standing at the head of a tortoise relates to the wish for success in the Imperial Jinshi examinations and by implication, a successful career leading to status, wealth and powe