A SMALL FAMILLE ROSE 'AUSPICIOUS COCKERELS' FIVE-PIECE GARNITURE Qianlong period, circa 1740-1750 The garniture comprising three baluster vases and covers and two trumpet-shaped vases, each brightly enameled around the body with a large crowing black-feathered cockerel proudly standing on elaborate blue rockwork dotted with shrubs and beneath large tree peony flowers. the vase and covers: 8 3/4in (22.3cm) high (5). Footnotes: 乾隆時期 約1750年 粉彩《公鷄牡丹》紋小飾瓶一套五件 Published Cohen & Cohen, Tyger Tyger!, Antwerp, 2016, pp. 56-57, no. 24 出版： 倫敦Cohen & Cohen古董行，《Tyger Tyger!》，安特衛普，2016年，頁56-57，圖版編號24 Although unfamiliar to Western clients who regarded the design purely as amusing decoration, this garniture was painted with imagery carrying significant traditional symbolism for Chinese users. 'A crowing rooster on a rock with peony' symbolized success in the official (and fearsome) Hanlin Academy examinations; success in them almost assured excellent career prospects in Government service for a Chinese student. For a similar garniture, see Cohen & Cohen, Think Pink!, Antwerp, 2013, pp. 54-55, no. 40.