Antique Chinese Parrots

From majestic ceramic roof tiles and exquisitely carved ivory to precious jade statues and delicate images adorning lovely porcelains, antique Chinese parrots are rich with symbolic meaning.

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For hundreds of years the parrot has held a place of honor in ancient China. Often kept in the living quarters of women, parrots were considered the keeper of their secrets.

Throughout the years parrots have come to symbolize several different things in the Chinese culture:

• During the Hongshan culture of the Neolithic period, the migration of the birds to their breeding spots was a sign that it was time to plant the crops. The birds in flight signaled that the rains were coming
• In ancient China a beautiful colorful parrot was kept in the palace by Emperor Xuanzong during the Tang Dynasty. The bird, excellent at mimicking people’s voices was so loved by Emperor Xuanzong that parrots have since been known as the Divine Bird.
• Traditionally parrots, and other birds, symbolized freedom and long life. A parallel is often drawn between a bird and the life experience and wisdom that comes with old age.
• A pair of parrots symbolizes affection, fidelity and deep, enduring love.
• In the ancient Chinese art of feng shui the parrot is a powerful symbol of opportunity and the bearer of good news. It draws positive energy while keeping away the negative.
• Many types of parrots have feathers that represent the colors of the elements of life, fire, water and the sun.

Standing guard on the edges of rooftops and perched along the roof’s ridges, roof tile parrots protected private homes and public buildings. Popular in the later 1880s and early 1900s, most parrot roof tiles were ceramic or terracotta with a highly glazed finish. The main purpose of these beautiful ornamental figurines was to produce a positive, or auspicious, feeling within the building as the positive energy, or chi, was drawn by the parrots.

The number of parrot roof tile figurines that were placed on the roof indicated the importance of the structure. The maximum number of roof tile parrots allowed was nine and indicated structures reserved for the Emperor or buildings used for meetings with those in high positions in the country.

Ivory carvings of individual parrots or parrots with lovely Chinese maidens are strikingly beautiful. An exquisite example of an ivory piece dating from the early 1800s is shown on Ancient East: Fine Art and Antiques of Asia.

Standing 21 ½ inches high without its stand, and a full 27 inches with the stand, this 7½ inch wide ivory carving is an unusually large piece. The figure is a Chinese maiden holding a spray of peonies in hand and a T-bar with a parrot in the other. The details of the entire piece are magnificent.

Another beautiful example of a carved ivory parrot is a large parrot charm, made before the 1930s ban on ivory. The charm measures 1 inch by 2½ inches and hangs from a natural Chinese jade beaded necklace.

Chinese jade, known s the Stone of Heaven, comes form the Sacred Mountains of the West located in Burma. Long journeys were required in ancient times to get jade from these mountains making it more valuable and rare.

At one time only the Chinese Emperor could wear yellow jade and the stone could only be owned by the Imperial Court making it highly sought after by today's collectors. Jade appears naturally in six colors, with many shade variations. The colors of this magnificent natural stone include:

• Yellow
• White
• Black
• Red
• Green
• Lavender

The following are examples of antique Chinese parrots:

• A hand carved antique jade parrot amulet is said to protect the wearer as it draws positive energy to the person.
• An exquisite pair of ornately carved jade parrot statues and a carving of jade parrots in a tree from Metropolitan Fine Arts and Antiques
• From the Liao Dynasty, circa 900, beautiful jade parrots mounted on gold hairpins from Sue Ollemans Oriental Works of Art
• From the Tang Dynasty a small carved parrot of mottled cream and brown jade from Cultural China

Magnificent and delicate pieces of hand painted Chinese porcelain depicting parrots range from decorative wares to serving pieces. Many date from the 1700s and are beautiful examples of Chinese Export Porcelain. Two of the most common depictions of parrots are in full flight or perched on tree branches. Porcelain parrot statues were also produced as Chinese Export Porcelain and were usually sold in pairs.

R&G McPherson Antiques specializes in Chinese Export Porcelain ware. The following examples are located on the introduction page of their website. To view a larger detailed picture of a specific piece click on its picture.

• A Kangxi Famille Verte Biscuit Porcelain Parrot statue circa 1662-1722
• From the Late Kangxi (1662-1720) or Yongheng (1710-1735) period are a pair of Famille Verte Biscuit Porcelain Parrot statues
• A Yonsheng Famille Rose Porcelain tea bowl and saucer bordered in parrots in full flight, circa 1723-1735
• A Qianlong bowl, circa 1750, with English enameling has a colorful parrot standing on a branch on the inside of the bowl.
• A Qianlong (1736-1795) plate is a perfect example of the well known The Pekingese and the Parrots pattern. This pattern is early Qianlong, dating from 1735-1745.

There are a significant number of reproduction parrot roof tiles being made and sold through various on and offline venues.

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