A PAIR OF MASSIVE FAMILLE ROSE 'LONG-TAILED-BIRD' CHARGERS Qianlong period, circa 1750 These magnificent heavily potted chargers painted in vibrant enamels with long-tailed birds perched precariously in the branches of a magnolia above stylized rockwork with large sprays of peony and aster, the scene painted on a large lotus flower cartouche at the center of the dish and extending to the cavetto, and all reserved against a dense leavy-scrolling design of composite flowerheads, primarily chrysanthemum but including, day lily, camellia, aster, morning glory and others on a purple-pink ground with four further reserve cartouches of alternate open scrolls and leaves, the rims lightly brown-dressed. 22 1/2in (54.5 cm) diam (2). Footnotes: 乾隆時期 約1750年 粉彩開光《長尾雉鳥》大盤一對 Published: Cohen & Cohen, Angels & Demonslayers, Hong Kong, 2012, pp. 76-77, no. 49 出版： 倫敦Cohen & Cohen古董行，《Angels & Demonslayers》，香港，2012年，頁76-77，圖版編號49 The exotic bird at the center of this design is sometimes identified as the shoudainiao or 'ribbon-tailed bird,' a species derived from the Paradise Flycatcher and traditionally popular in Chinese design because its long tail symbolizes longevity (shuangshou) [Bartholomew 2006, 7.51.2-.12, pp.215-218. However, it might more easily be compared to the golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), also known as the Chinese pheasant.