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Lot Essay
The mark may be translated as 'bestowed during the reign of Yongle of the great Ming Dynasty'
A similar stand was illustrated by Michael Goedhuis, Chinese and Japanese Bronzes, A.D. 1100-1900, London, 1989, no. 14, where the author suggests that the stand may have supported a crystal ball. Although this would have enabled the mark to have been read, it seems more likely that, given the parallel sided interior of the ring, it housed the foot of a bowl. It was certainly for ritual use as indicated by the presence of the xi character.
A similar example was sold in our New York Rooms, 28 March 1996, lot 148 and another offered in Hong Kong, 1 November 1999, lot 540, together with a cloisonné enamel version, lot 541.
Compare also the higher stand of this design (62.5 cm.) made in Tibet during the 15th Century and inscribed Chopon meaning 'Master of Offerings', sold in our New York Rooms, 17 September 1998, lot 93.
A similar stand was illustrated by Michael Goedhuis, Chinese and Japanese Bronzes, A.D. 1100-1900, London, 1989, no. 14, where the author suggests that the stand may have supported a crystal ball. Although this would have enabled the mark to have been read, it seems more likely that, given the parallel sided interior of the ring, it housed the foot of a bowl. It was certainly for ritual use as indicated by the presence of the xi character.
A similar example was sold in our New York Rooms, 28 March 1996, lot 148 and another offered in Hong Kong, 1 November 1999, lot 540, together with a cloisonné enamel version, lot 541.
Compare also the higher stand of this design (62.5 cm.) made in Tibet during the 15th Century and inscribed Chopon meaning 'Master of Offerings', sold in our New York Rooms, 17 September 1998, lot 93.