This double pair of cloissone enamel cranes sold for £124,000. Dreweatts & Bloomsbury images

NEWBURY, UK – Cranes proved their auspicious powers in a Dreweatts & Bloomsbury auction May 19 when a pair of cloisonné enamel double crane censers flew beyond their estimate, selling for £124,000 ($191,198).

LiveAuctioneers.com provided absentee and Internet live bidding.

Also, a Warring States-Western Han-style bronze model of a tiger also made an impressive £64,480 ($99,423).

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.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.