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

This magnificent censer was possibly part of a five-piece altar garniture such as a set illustrated in Qingdai Gongting Shenghuo, Hong Kong, 1985, p. 299, pl. 467, in situ in Xianruo Hall, located in the garden of Cining Garden, where the Empress Dowager and the Grand Concubine conducted Buddhist ceremonies. Compare also to another set cast with dragons, sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 11 April 2008, lot 2826, the censer from this set is very similar in form and height to the present lot.