Cloisonné Enamel Zun Wine Vessel with Stand in the Form of a Heavenly Rooster

The heavenly rooster (tianji) is upright with a raised head. The vessel carried by the bird is embellished with decorative features (called ears) in the shape of dragons (called chi). The bird's wings appear to flap elegantly and function as supports for the wine vessel. The bird rests its feet upon the base of the spoked wheels. The tail curls downward in beautiful array. Inside the tail feather stands a small heavenly rooster of gilded-copper.
The zun wine vessel atop the larger rooster is oval in shape with a flared-mouth and dragon embellishments. The breast of the bird is decorated with colorful clouds. The rectangular, gilded plaque in front of the bird's breast is engraved with a single line of characters in the regular script; this inscription is translated to read "Manufactured in the Qianlong reign". The vessel is fashioned from red copper and finished with a colorful cloisonné enamel and filigree. The bird is covered in a patterning that indicates feathers, while the wine vessel is ornamented with a pattern of intertwining lotuses.
The heavenly rooster (tianji) has a long history in Chinese mythological symbolism, but a specific rendering of the bird only took concrete form during the Qianlong reign of the Qing period. This cloisonné enamel bird and vessel are elegant and richly colored. Reflecting a sense of wonder, the work displays the high level of enamel craftsmanship of the period.