QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details

AN IMPRESSIVE BRONZE TRIPOD ‘ELEPHANT’ CENSER AND COVER
QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)
The well-proportioned body is cast in the form of an inverted bell supported on three elephant-head feet, each with long tusks and bejewelled harnesses. The sides are flanked by a pair of handles formed as elephant heads with their trunks elegantly raised in an s-form. The trappings on the elephants are inlaid with turquoise, coloured glass, and hardstone inlays. The domed cover is decorated with finely and intricately cast openwork scrolling lotus, surmounted by a recumbent richly-decorated caparisoned elephant, the saddle supporting the finial cast as an offering bowl bearing precious objects.
20 1/2 in. (52 cm.) high overall, wood stand

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory, tortoiseshell and crocodile. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Sale room notice

Please note that the provenance of this lot is:
·         Formerly in a Japanese private collection (by repute)
·         Acquired in Seattle, Washington from the Mariko-Tada Antique Store

請注意：此拍品的來源為：
·         日本私人珍藏(傳)
·         約1970年代購於西雅圖Mariko-Tada Antique Store

Brought to you by

Priscilla Kong

pkong@christies.com +852 2978 9958

Lot Essay

The tradition of using three elephant heads as the feet of imperial bronze censers and braziers can be traced back at least as far as the Xuande reign (1426 -1435). An example of a censer, bearing a six-character Xuande reign mark, on which the elephants balance on their rolled trunks, as on the present lot, is in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, and illustrated in A Special Exhibition of Incense Burners and Perfumers Throughout the Dynasties, Taipei, 1994, p. 199, no. 54.

Comparable vessels include: an identical example was sold at Bonhams San Francisco, 17 December 2018, lot 267; a parcel gilt bronze censer dated to the 18th century sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 May 2012, lot 4128; a similarly-decorated cloisonné enamel sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 27 May 2008, lot 1542; and a cloisonné enamel censer with makara handles from the Kitson collection sold at Sotheby’s London, 21 February 1961, lot 258.

This wood stand accompanying this item is made of a type of Dalbergia wood which is subject to CITES export/import restrictions since 2 January 2017. This item can only be shipped to addresses within Hong Kong or collected from our Hong Kong saleroom and office unless a CITES re-export permit is granted. Please contact the department for further information.

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