Récipient zun en forme de tapir en bronze incrusté or et argent Chine, dynastie Yuan ou dynastie Ming, XIIIE-XVE siècle

le brûle-parfum zoormorphe modelé dans un style archaïsant, l'animal debout tête levée, le museau et les oreilles en alerte, un clapet s'ouvrant sur le dos, la surface du corps incrustée en or et argent de motifs archaïsants

This piece is in very good condition with the exception of the loss of sections of inlay overall and expected light encrustation, as can be seen in the catalogue image.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The shape and inlaid decoration of this vessel are based on ancient prototypes of Warring States period date, 5th-3rd century BC. An example of this earlier period is in the collection of the National Palace Museum, illustrated in the Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Shang and Chou Dynasty Bronze Wine vessels, National Palace Museum, Taipei 1989, pl.66.
A very similar inlaid bronze tapir is illustrated in Samoyault-Verlet, Le Musée chinois de l'impératrice Eugénie, Editions de la réunion des musées nationaux, 1994, fig.20 p.28, showing that there were similar bronze vessels in the collections of the Emperor Qianlong Summer Palace.
See, also, the example of the same shape but with different scroll decoration on the body, dated Yuan-Ming Dynasty, sold at Christie's New York, 22 March 2007, lot 262.