AN IMPORTANT AND RARE LARGE IMPERIAL FIVE-PIECE BRONZE GARNITURE SET MARK AND PERIOD OF QIANLONG

impressively large and solidly cast, comprising of a pair of vases, a pair of candlesticks and a tripod censer, all similarly cast with dragons chasing a 'flaming pearl' reserved on a dense cloud ground; the pear-shaped vases each cast with two pairs of confronting sinuous dragons encircling a flaming pearl, below three narrower horizontal registers collaring the waisted neck set with further dragons and a ruyi cloud lappet band, the neck flanked by a pair of C-shaped archaistic dragon handles securing heavy oval rings,  the foot skirted by a ring of plantain lappets above the six-character reign mark emblazoned around the base, the interior of the mouth incised with '230 gan' on one and '240 gan' on the other; the pair of four-part candlesticks each supported on a bell-shaped base cast similarly cast with two pairs of dragons and a reign mark around the foot, fitted with a wide drip-pan with a horizontal register of dragons, and set with a tapering neck similarly decorated, all below a small pricket stand; the ding-shaped tripod censer with a globular body cast with eight dragons chasing a flaming pearl on a cloud ground, supported on three robust lion-head feet, the shoulders flanked by a pair of detachable 'S' form handles further cast with dragons, below the six-character mark around the rim, fitted with a reticulated lotus scroll and shou character domed cover with a matching spherical openwork finial

The overall condition is very good with only a few minor chips to some of the high relief areas including a few of the dragon whiskers. One pricket on the candlestand is a replacement (the shorter one).
"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."

It is extremely rare to find a complete altar set of this monumental size and lavishly casted decoration of dragons - the symbol of the Emperor. Altar garnitures of this type were made for specific temples in the Imperial Palace and were generally commissioned as tribute to the emperor. See a bronze altar garniture, comprising of an incense burner, a pair of candlesticks and a pair of vases, of similar magnificent large size, illustrated in Qingdai gongting shenghuo, Hong Kong, 1985, p. 299, pl. 467, in situ in the Xianruo Temple, located in the garden of Cining Gong (Palace of Compassion and Tranquility) where the empress and consorts conducted Buddhist religious ceremonies. 

A pair of lavishly decorated bronze vases of related form, casted solely with phoenixes instead of dragons, indicating that the pair may have been commissioned as a tribute to the Qianlong emperor's mother, from the Alfred Morrison collection, was sold at Christie's London, 9th November 2004, lot 17; and another pair of imperial bronze vases casted with dragons and phoenixes, made for one of the buildings of the Imperial Summer Palace, Yuanmingyuan, was sold three times in these rooms, 29th/30th April 1997, lot 730, 10th April 2006, lot 1537 and recently on 9th October 2007, lot 1322.