A fine and rare couple of Chinese export porcelain figural candleholders fashioned in the form or court ladies each holding a lotus blossom, richly decorated in vibrant famille rose enamels, their lavish flowing robes designed with auspicious bats amongst clouds and peony blossoms  against a prunus and cracked ice ground, both ladies with capes of exotic peacock feathers. Figures such as these fed the European mania for all things Chinese and exotic and would have been part of any rich and fashionable interior of the time. Measuring 12″ tall and with restoration to the hands and lotus blossoms of both, as well as some minor re-touch to the edges of one lady’s robes, otherwise in good condition. Mid-18th century.