A BLUE AND WHITE CENSER MARK AND PERIOD OF WANLI

of hexagonal section, each side painted in bright washes of cobalt with one of the bagua trigrams on a lingzhi scroll enclosed within a quatrefoil panel with a crane hovering above rocks, the corners of two sides set with a moulded qilin head, all supported on an integral base with a pierced cloud shaped apron and a hexagonal stretcher, the cover of conforming shape with a high-relief moulded figure of a qilin seated over a pierced cash-shaped opening surrounded by cloud scrolls and two other trigrams, the base inscribed in underglaze blue with a six-character reign mark within a double-rectangle cartouche, black lacquer cover

Shichizaemon Yuasa Collection, Kyoto.

Osaka Municipal Museum.

Cover: There is a hairline crack at the rim of approx 3.4cm, extending on top and bottom of the cover. There is fritting to the rim, scattered glaze gaps and pinprick burst air bubbles. Censer: There is a flake to the old repaired tip of the horn of one qilin. (The repaired area is approx 0.9 by 0.2cm). There are small areas of glaze gaps and scattered pinprick burst air bubbles. There are two short glaze gaps at the base on the interior, which have been filled in with wax. There are small nicks to the foot.
"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."

See a similar Wanli censer but without the cover, sold at Christie's New York, 12th August 1975, lot 133.