.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Plain gilt censer in a shape of Qilin, Buddhistic lions and other beasts have been made since the Ming dynasty, yet such solidity cast objects colourfully inlaid are extremely rare.
Compare with hardstone inlaid gilt-bronze censers dated 18th century and of similar shape. The first one was formely in the Herbert R. Bishop Collection before being sold in our London Rooms, 15 June 1999, lot 105 ; two others were sold in our Hong Kong Rooms, 30 April 2000, lot 564 and 29-30 October 2001, lot 629 (this later of parcel-gilt bronze) ; see also the censer in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Special Exhibition of Incense Burners and Perfumers Throughout the Dynasties, p.265, no.119.
Those examples if very close in shape, are supporting a cylindrical funnel on their back which makes them slightly different from the current censer.
See also comparable gilt-bronze mythical beasts: a pair with Qianlong marks and enamel inlays in the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated in Stephen W. Bushell, Chinese Art II, London 1919, fig.96, p.79 ; one of a pair of censers inlaid with turquoise carvings in the Shenyang Palace Museum, illustrated in R.L.Thorp, Son of Heaven, Imperial Arts in China, Seattle 1988, no.33, p.40
Compare with hardstone inlaid gilt-bronze censers dated 18th century and of similar shape. The first one was formely in the Herbert R. Bishop Collection before being sold in our London Rooms, 15 June 1999, lot 105 ; two others were sold in our Hong Kong Rooms, 30 April 2000, lot 564 and 29-30 October 2001, lot 629 (this later of parcel-gilt bronze) ; see also the censer in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Special Exhibition of Incense Burners and Perfumers Throughout the Dynasties, p.265, no.119.
Those examples if very close in shape, are supporting a cylindrical funnel on their back which makes them slightly different from the current censer.
See also comparable gilt-bronze mythical beasts: a pair with Qianlong marks and enamel inlays in the Victoria and Albert Museum, illustrated in Stephen W. Bushell, Chinese Art II, London 1919, fig.96, p.79 ; one of a pair of censers inlaid with turquoise carvings in the Shenyang Palace Museum, illustrated in R.L.Thorp, Son of Heaven, Imperial Arts in China, Seattle 1988, no.33, p.40