Old Carved, Polychromed Wading Bird with Great Form and Surface (As Found) antique chinese gouache painting which seem to have been

which seem to have been saved by a  miss Mildred

Crazing and a couple of small chips

and like to imagine a festive table lit by a whole menagerie

With its big starry bright eye and perky tail feathers

With nice double looped drawstring to pull it tightly closed

Old Carved, Polychromed Wading Bird with Great Form and Surface (As Found) antique chinese gouache painting which seem to have beenI first thought a stork based on the shape of the head (and that beak seems perfectly poised to dangle a baby!) , but maybe with the black it's a little egret? Whatever the case, quite a great form to it, and hard to beat the surface on the polychrome. Plus a bit of a different disposition on each side based largely on the painting of the eyes, with a bit of baby blue on one side. The tip of one leg missing, but good for hanging on the wall, perhaps