A large cloisonné enamel and gilt-bronze 'pheasants' rectangular box and cover17th century十七世紀 銅胎掐絲琺瑯錦雞竹石圖長方蓋盒Height 7¼ in., 18.5 cm; Width 17 in., 43 cm; Depth 13¼ in., 33.2 cmFor more information on and additional videos for this lot, please contact serina.wei@sothebys.comIn response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.The present box is finely enameled with a pair of pheasants—symbols of imperial elegance—perched on rockwork surrounded by bamboo, prunus, and lotus. Its size suggests that it was probably used to store documents, scrolls, and/or books.Compare a box of the same type, attributed to the first half of the 17th century, also supported by gilt-bronze figures of boys and with a central scene of a pair of cranes, from the collections of Pierre Uldry and T. B. Kitson, illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection, New York, 1989, pl. 141 (fig. 1). Three panels depicting related scenes of pairs of birds in a landscape, attributed to the 17th century, are illustrated in ibid., pls 154-156.