Brûle-parfum couvert en bronze doré et émaux cloisonnés Chine, dynastie Ming, XVIE siècle

de forme ronde reposant sur un court pied droit, la panse à décor polychrome de fleurs de lotus se détachant sur un fond bleu turquoise de rinceaux feuillagés surmontés d'une frise de rosaces, les anses en forme de poisson-dragons

The censer bowl and cover are in good condition with the exception of a few dents to the gilt rim near one of the two dragon fish handles, some rubbing and age wear to the gilded areas and beneath the footrim, the cover is slightly warped, one of the gilt medallions around the body is a little loose, some expected scattered air bubbles to the cloisonné enamels. The dragon fish handles are possibly of the late 17th or early 18th century. The colours are a fraction lighter, less saturated than the illustration would suggest in the catalogue.
"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 censer is a fine and extremely rare example of Ming censers of this globular form and only one comparable vessel appears to be recorded, in the collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei, illustrated in Masterpieces of Chinese Enamel Ware in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1971, pl. 15, with dragon-form handles and lacking its cover.

The shape was more commonly copied during the Qing dynasty; for example see a censer with fish-dragon handles from the Clague collection included in the exhibition, Chinese Cloisonne, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, 1980, cat. no. 43. The lotus scroll decoration on the Clague censer uses an early pink enamel which suggests that the vessel may have been made during the 17th century. See two further Qing examples, both attributed to Qianlong's reign; one sold in our New York rooms, 24/25th January 1975, lot 257, and again, in our London rooms, 14th May 2008, lot 640; and the other sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 3rd November 1996, lot 880.