A GILT-SPLASHED BRONZE CENSER AND COVER

Details

A GILT-SPLASHED BRONZE CENSER AND COVER
cast xuande six-character mark, 17th/18th century

The rim applied with two chilong handles, the globular body on three cabriole feet cast in low relief with two confronting dragons divided by a shou character, the base with a circular panel of a dragon pursuing a flaming pearl amidst cloud-scrolls, the pierced domed cover surmounted by a Buddhistic lion finial, the dark richly-patinated bronze surface splashed overall in gold, minor rim restoration, handles restuck
12in. (30cm.) high

Lot Essay

The gilt-splash decoration, also known as 'gold-splash', was achieved by fire-gilding, ie. by applying gold in the form of a gold mercury amalgam and then heating the vessel to drive off the mercury. The process is highly dangerous to the gilder due to the extreme toxicity of the mercury vapour given off, and is now banned in most countries

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