An extraordinarily rare and beautiful pair of diminutive Chinese Mandarin duck-form covered boxes, each finely modeled with their heads raised and their bodies overlaid with meticulously carved and detailed mother-of-pearl feathers, both with great charm and personality. A small piece of each back lifts to form the cover of each box and reveals a mother-of-pearl Qianlong mark, again, painstakingly carved out of mother-of-pearl, and each duck nestled, perfectly fitting, into their own custom stand. The Mandarin duck is a popular theme in Chinese art as they mate for life and symbolize marital bliss and harmony. Obviously displaying in all aspects a level of quality denoting an Imperial workshop. Measuring 2 1/2″ tall x  3 1/2″ wide. Early 19th century. A similar pair with less presence and detail sold in Christies London, November 8, 2011, Lot 0218 for 23,750 pounds.