A LARGE FAMILLE-ROSE RUBY-GROUND TRIPOD INCENSE BURNER SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

robustly potted with a compressed globular body sweeping up to a waisted neck and a galleried rim, the sides flanked by a pair of pierced, upright curved handles, all supported on three cabriole legs, the exterior elaboratedly painted in various bright enamels with eight lotus blossoms borne on an undulating scroll, each below a different bajixiang emblem, all reserved against a brilliant ruby-red ground, the legs similarly detailed with foliate scrolls issuing large blossoms, the base centred with a circular classical scroll band, all below a key-border encircling the rim interrupted by a six-character seal mark, the interior enamelled in turquoise

The front foot has been broken off and professionally refixed. One of the handles has been restored, possibly also broken off and refixed.. Loss of gilt throughout. Minor chips to the mouth (most severe 0.3cm). Flaking to the turquoise interior, possibly on old repainting. General surface wear and scratching throughout.
"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."

This imposing and brilliantly enamelled incense burner was most likely the centrepiece for a five-piece altar garniture, flanked by a pair of candlesticks and gu vases. Of ding form, based on the shape of archaic ritual vessels of the Shang dynasty, its cauldron-like shape supported on three curved legs reflect the predilection in the Qing dynasty for vessels in the form of archaic bronzes of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Although altar wares could be manufactured in a variety of materials and interpretations of the floral scroll motif, the original profile of the archaic models was retained. The Qianlong emperor had a keen interested in Buddhism and during his reign various temples were built throughout the empire for which such garnitures were produced. See a ruby-ground set in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, included in the Museum’s exhibition A Special Exhibition of Incense Burners and Perfumers Throughout the Dynasties, Taipei, 1994, cat. no. 105.

Censers of this type were produced in a variety of coloured grounds; a slightly smaller ruby-ground example was sold in these rooms, 1st November 1999, lot 446; and two yellow-ground censers sold in our New York rooms, the first, 29th November 1988, lot 206, the second, 17th September 1998, lot 262. Compare also a doucai censer of this type, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Geng Baochang, Gugong Bowuguan cang gu taoci ciliao xuancui [Selection of ancient ceramic material from the Palace Museum], Beijing, 2005, vol. II, pl. 214.