A CLOISONNE ENAMEL AND GILT-BRONZE TRIPOD CENSER MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

the cylindrical censer with dramatically flared lip, on three sturdy cabriole legs, a pair of applied gilt-bronze stylized lion-masks on the exterior below the lip, the exterior of the body decorated in red, white, green, dark blue and yellow enamels on a turquoise ground with robust lotus blossoms and scrollwork, a lappet border above the foot, a band of stylized foliage below the lip, the mouth of the interior decorated with grapes, foliage and scrollwork issuing from thick vines, the underside of the vessel with a scrolling quatrefoil centered by a yin-yang symbol, surrounded by florets with scrolling foliage

Sotheby's London, 14th November 2000, lot 26.
Acquired by the present owner from the above.

The piece is in overall very good condition with only a few scattered minor dings to metal at extremities, a few scattered pits, filled pits and enamel flaws typical of the medium.
"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 present work is one a distinct group of flared cylindrical censers on robust cabriole legs and with stylized lion-mask 'handles'.  The exteriors are nearly always decorated with lotus scrolls, the interior with either lotus-scrolls, fruiting vines or flowering vines.  Some of these censers, like the present example, also bear yin-yang symbols on the underside of the vessel. A similar censer with lotus-scroll exterior and fruiting vine interior, but without a lappet band above the foot, is illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné. The Pierre Uldry Collection, Zurich, 1989, no. 116. A nearly identical censer to the present example was sold in our New York rooms 19th December 1980, lot 37.  Another nearly identical censer, lacking gilding, was sold at Christie's New York, 15th October 2001, lot 516 (part lot).