Lot 87

A MAGNIFICENT AND LARGE PAIR OF RETICULATED SQUARESECTION CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CENSERS AND COVERS

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PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE EUROPEAN COLLECTION

A MAGNIFICENT AND LARGE PAIR OF RETICULATED SQUARESECTION CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CENSERS AND COVERS

18TH-19TH CENTURY

Details

A MAGNIFICENT AND LARGE PAIR OF RETICULATED SQUARESECTION CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL CENSERS AND COVERS
18TH-19TH CENTURY
Each censer is supported on four elephant trunk-form feet with mask-head terminals and each side of the lower section is inset with rectangular gilt metal panels embellished with butterflies, leafy tendrils and melons in champleve enamels. The detachable upper sections have reticulated fretwork gilt metal panels set within a border of bats and clouds below an openwork band of cloisonne enamel lotus scrolls. The covers are similarly decorated with gilt metal 'bat and scrolling lotus' panels embellished with pendant ruyi heads and are surmounted with a square finial decorated with shou characters.
18 ¼ in. (46.5 cm.) high

Provenance

Acquired in Germany before 1989.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Kate Hunt Director, Head of Department

khunt@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7752 3389

Lot Essay

It is unusual to find a pair of cloisonne enamel censers of this size, lavish quality and workmanship. The auspicious wishes within the decorative scheme conveys an abundance of blessings on the onlooker. The symbolism of melons and butterflies is an auspicious one and forms the rebus for 'numerous descendants'. The melon with its seeds symbolises many sons and grandsons, while the butterfly symbolizes blessings, happiness and longevity.

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