KANGXI PERIOD (1662-1722)

Incense stands decorated in qiangjin and tianqi technique are very rare, and the present exmaple is further exemplified by the vibrant use of colours and the meticulous craftsmanship. A closely related qiangjin and tianqi Kangxi-marked incense stand similarly decorated with dragons chasing a flaming pearl on the top surface is in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in The Palace Museum Collection: A Treasury of Ming & Qing Dynasty Palace Furniture, vol. 2, Beijing, 2007 p. 638, fig. 757 (fig. 1), which shares several similarities with the current stand, especially in the composition and in the style of dragons and supplementary motifs, such as the waves and clouds (fig. 2), but lacking the diaper ground and the subtle gradation of colours. The design of the main motif on both of these stands is closely modelled after late-Ming examples, such as that seen on a small qiangjin and tianqi chest from the Wanli period in the Palace Museum, illustrated in Lacquer Wares of the Qing Dynasty, The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, Hong Kong, 2006, p. 234, no. 185.