A RARE GILT-BRONZE CLOISONNE TRIPOD CENSER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

the censer supported on the shoulders of three cranes, each enamelled in black and white plumage and standing on a lotus-pad, the compressed globular censer flanked by a pair of fiery gilt-bronze dragon handles, and decorated with dense lotus scrolls with large blooms alternating with playful deer, beneath a band of blue-enameled key-fret and pendant lappets, the cover finely reticulated with birds and flowers surmounted by a coiled dragon knop

T. B. Kitson Collection.
Sotheby's London, The T. B. Kitson Collection - Catalogue of the Well Known Collection of Important Jade Carvings and Fine Cloisonné, Amber and Lacquer - Part i, 18th October 1960, lot 113.
Sotheby's Monaco, 13th February 1983, lot 366.
Bluett & Sons Ltd., London, 17th February 1983.
Juan Jose Amezaga Collection.
Christie's Paris, 7th December 2007, lot 25.

The overaell condition is very good with only minor pitting to the enamels and some old wax repairs. One of the dragon handles has some minor repair to re-attach flames and hind legs with small screws. The handles were made by a mold cast and along the central mold-line there are some casting cracks along the center of the underbelly to one of the handles and on the other dragon handle there is a minor casting mold-line break on the underbelly of the dragon. Much of the original gilding remains.
"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 Qianlong emperor was a keen collector of objects that were modelled after relics from antiquity. This censer takes its form from archaic ritual bronze ding vessels of the Shang and Zhou periods. Although the overall outline of the archaic models is retained, the Qing craftsmen added their own design elements and made liberal changes to the prototype, thus creating pieces that were contemporary and unique.  For example, the dragon handles and the three long-legged cranes have respectively replaced the usual flaring loop handles and cabriole legs that support the vessel.

The Qianlong emperors favoured works that were not only visually stunning but also steeped in tradition and auspicious associations. Both the crane and the deer symbolize longevity; deer is the companion of Shoulao, the God of Longevity. As the word deer in Chinese, 'lu', is the homophone for the word 'official salary', they also represent wealth and are associated with official and scholarly success.

This decorative motif can also found be found on a large censer and cover at the British Museum, illustrated in China: The Three Emperors, London, 2005, cat. no. 304 and on another from the Uldry Collection, illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné. The Pierre Uldry Collection, London, 1989, cat. no. 323.  Another cloisonné censer and cover, set with two gilt bronze handles of dragon, supported by cranes, decorated with birds and aquatic plants, was sold at our New York rooms, 19^th March 1997, lot 155.

This censer was most likely a centrepiece for a five-piece altar set, flanked by a pair of candlesticks and two vases, or possibly one of four censers flanking a throne in the palace, such as those in the Qianqing Gong.