W200xD150xH270mm, China

A delicate figurine of two pica pica (magpie) on a blossoming plum tree.  The subject, a symbol of blessing, is often seen in painting, pottery and carvings; for the Chinese, the pica pica is bird of luck while the plum tree signified happiness, joy, peace, longevity and success.   Here is a story about this lucky bird, in the Tong dynasty there was a man named Li Jing Yi.  Outside Li’s house there was a pica pica nest on a tree, everyday he would feed the bird, after a while the bounding between the bird and Li grew.  One day, out of the blue Li was arrested for a crime he did not commit, when he was most helpless in jail the pica pica came visited him and sang at the window for a long time.  His was relieved by the bird’s visit and 3 days later, the good news about his release came.  It is believed the bird can transformed as a imperial guard with the notice for his release.  Since then, the pica pica is associated with the bearer of good news.