This mould-made group, decorated with famille verte enamels on the biscuit, showing two mandarins enamelled in green, brown-aubergine, and yellow ocre.Traces of red pigment are seen on their hat, suggesting they were once cold-painted. They are wearing coats over their robes. One figure holds a bird perched on a cloth in one hand, the other figure holds a tree squirrel, both animals seem to be pets.
For two similar models of a standing lady holding a squirrel, see William Sargent, The Copeland Collection: Chinese and Japanese Ceramic Figures,1991, p.
Another very similar model is in the collection of the British Museum, bequeathed by Henry J. Oppenheim (inventory number 1947,0712.316).
The tree squirrel (song shu) may be a rebus for the pine tree (song shu) and therefore a wish for long life.
Photography Jérémie Beylard /Agence PHAR