DONNINGTON PRIORY, U.K. – Cranes proved their auspicious powers in a Chinese ceramics and Asian works of art auction at Dreweatts Donnington Priory, when a pair of cloisonné enamel double crane censers flew beyond estimate, selling for $194,291 to a bidder on the phone. A Warring States-Western Han style, bronze model of a tiger also made $101,031.

As birds with a long life span, cranes are associated with longevity, immortality and wisdom in Chinese tradition, particularly following the rise of Daoism from the Han dynasty. They are an important component of the Chinese decorative system which is based on the use of images whose auspicious symbolism is conveyed by their intrinsic qualities and the homophonic nature of the Chinese language.

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