A CLOISONNE ENAMEL CENSER MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

of cylindrical form supported on three short gilt-bronze ruyi head feet, the exterior enamelled with three large stylised lotus flowers in blue, yellow and red, each one borne on a scrolling foliate scroll with floral offshoots, separated by smaller flowers on scrolls, all reserved on a turquoise ground and set between pendant and upright ruyi bands at the mouth and foot, the base further enamelled with three stylised prunus flower heads issuing from scrolls and set with a gilt square cartouche reading Qianlong nian zhi zan

Apart from some light wear to the gilding and the enamels, the overall condition is very good. The enamelling is intact and the cloisons retain much of their original gilding.
"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 cloisonné censer belongs to a small group of Qianlong mark and period wares that are inscribed with an additional character below the reign mark, such as the zan character, which can be translated as 'to praise or to commend' found on this vessel. Sir Harry Garner in Chinese and Japanese Cloisonné Enamels, London, 1962, p. 92, discusses this special group of wares and notes that 'the use of characters in addition to a nian hao seems to be peculiar to cloisonné'.

A censer of very similar form, size and decoration, in the Pierre Uldry collection, is illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinesisches Cloisonne, Zurich, 1985, pl. 248. The Uldry censer bears a Qianlong reign mark with an additional fu (happiness) character. Compare another closely related censer sold in these rooms, 9th November 1982, lot 332, with an incised four character mark of Qianlong and an additional character xian.

The form of this vessel appears to be inspired by earlier, Ming period, drum-shaped tripod vessels. See one included ibid., pl. 31; and further two early Ming examples, from the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pls. 15 and 16.