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Lot Essay
Vessels of this form are typically referred to as censers, although a cloisonné enamel cylindrical tripod vessel of very similar size dated to the 15th century is illustrated by H. Brinker and A. Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné: The Pierre Uldry Collection, The Asia Society Galleries, New York, 1989, no. 31, where it is described as a brushpot. See ibid., pp. 98-9, where the authors explain that, although scholars of the time continued to favor traditional desk implements of wood, ceramic and stone, prestigious cloisonné enamel desk objects used for secular purposes must have appeared on Imperial and official tables by the second half of the 15th century.
The color combinations on this incense burner are quite unusual, especially with the decoration reserved on a blue ground rather than the more usual turquoise. Several different vessel types which appear to be decorated in such a way are illustrated by Brinker and Lutz, op.cit., nos. 37 (a candle holder), 39 (a censer), 40 (a candle holder) and 40 (a meiping). These pieces are dated second half 15th and first half 16th century.
The color combinations on this incense burner are quite unusual, especially with the decoration reserved on a blue ground rather than the more usual turquoise. Several different vessel types which appear to be decorated in such a way are illustrated by Brinker and Lutz, op.cit., nos. 37 (a candle holder), 39 (a censer), 40 (a candle holder) and 40 (a meiping). These pieces are dated second half 15th and first half 16th century.