The standard scholar's incense garniture of a censer, tool vase and box was developed in the Ming dynasty. It is rare to find a cloisonné enamel set complete with its matching spatula. Examples of such sets made of other materials, with their tools inserted into the vase can be seen in the Catalogue to the Special Exhibition of Incense Burners and Perfumers Throughout the Dynasties, National Palace Museum, Taiwan, 1994, pl. 84 for a jade set, pl. 88 for a Canton enamel set, and pl. 89 for a set in ceramic imitating bronze. A very similar cloisonne enamel three-piece incense set with Qianlong marks, was sold in these Rooms, 28 April 1996, lot 14.