MING DYNASTY, SECOND HALF 16TH CENTURY

No other cloisonné enamel handwarmer of Ming date appears to be published, although a Qing dynasty example with cloisonné body and reticulated gilt-copper cover in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, is illustrated in the catalogue for the exhibition, Great National Treasures of China, Taipei, 1994, p. 207, no. 49. Cloisonné versions may have been inspired by the more practical copper examples of late 16th century date. A number of these are illustrated by P. Moss, The Literati Mode, Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 1986, pp. 303, 306, 308 and 309, nos. 153-63. Some of these are of 17th century date or later, but all have pierced covers, some with diaper pattern openwork, and swing handles.