Lot 30
  • 30

Rare paire de porte-encens en forme de pagodes en jade sculpté, bois, métal doré et ivoire teinté dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong

Estimate
60,000 - 80,000 EUR
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Description

  • Jade, Bronze, ivory, wood
  • Haut. totale 43,5 cm
les porte-encens en jade céladon-gris finement sculptés et ajourés d'immortels cheminant dans un paysage escarpé planté d'arbres et de pavillons, reposant sur une fleur de lotus en bronze doré, entourés de six colonnettes en bois doré partant de la base octogonale et soutenant le toit pagode en bois incrusté d'ornements en jade, la base et le toit agrémentés de balustrades en ivoire teinté vert sculpté et ajouré ; accidents et manques (2)

Condition

Both pagodas are made in several parts that are joined by a central hidden medtal rod fixed with a later screw at the base of each wooden stand. The jade censers in both pagodas are in overall good condition. Censor on the left in the catalogue illustration: The jade is of a slightly darker stone and colour and the carving less refined. The stone is also more stained by black dirt. The censer rotates on the gilt-copper lotus socket. On the wood base three elements of the stained railing and two posts are missing. One element of the stained railing hanging down from the base is missing. Two elements of the stained railing hanging down from the domed roof are missing. Two jade lotus flowers set into the wood rood are missing. The stained elements on the top of the roof are missing. The wooden parts of the structure may in part be zitan. There is some wear to the gilding on the wood pillars. Censor on the right in the catalogue illustration: The jade is very shiny but also covered by black dirt in the recesses parts of the carving. The censer rotates on the gilt-copper lotus socket. On the wood base three elements of the stained railing and two posts are missing (partially visible in the catalogue illustration). One tip of a stained railing post hanging down from the base is missing. One element of the stained railing on the flat base is missing. There are losses to the stained elements on the top of the roof. The tip of one of the everted roof elements is broken off and missing. The wooden elements of the structure may in part be zitan with some later replacements. There is wear to the gilding on the wood pillars.
"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."

Catalogue Note

Large censers in the form of pagodas were placed near thrones in some of the central halls of the Forbidden City. They were considered part of the throne ensemble which comprised accessories of both practical, ritual but also aesthetic functions. The variety of forms and shapes of those that have survived attest to their popularity at the Qing court and illustrate the opulence of some of the furnishings of the central halls under the Qianlong emperor.

Incense burners of this type are fairly consistent in size, design and craftsmanship from one throne room to another. Compare a pair of unusually large pagoda-shaped censers made of gold from the Forbidden City, illustrated in Zhenbao guan, Beijing, 2004, p. 78. A pair of spinach jade and gilt-bronze pagoda-shaped censers in the Palace Museum collection, is illustrated in China: The Three Emperors, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2005, cat. no. 22.   

A rare pair of champlevé enamel pagoda-form censers, also Qianlong period, with reticulated white jade plaques forming the central hexagonal structure, was sold in our London rooms, 1st July 1969, lot 29, then part of the C. Ruxton and Audrey B. Love Collection, later sold at Christie's New York, 20th October 2004, lot 451. The Love Collection also included a pair of cloisonné enamel pagoda incense burner holders, attributed to the Jiaqing period, sold at Christie's New York, 20th October 2004, lot 599.