Petit vase en bronze doré et émaux cloisonnés Chine, dynastie Ming, XVIE siècle

de forme balustre sur un pied évasé, le col légèrement évasé aux bords aplatis, agrémenté de deux anses en forme d'animal fabuleux, à décor de deux dragons dans des rinceaux fleuris sur fond turquoise, le pied souligné d'une bande d'entrelacs, nuages stylisés et frise de pétales, marque à quatre caractères Jingtai incisée à la base ; manques et accidents

The neck and the foot slightly bent ; some accidents with associated losses of enamel all over the surface ; some restored with wax around the body and the neck ; the color slightly less bright than the catalogue illustration would suggest.
"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 piece is unusual for its phoenix-head handles; compare a pear-shaped vase decorated with floral sprays flanked with similarly shaped handles illustrated in Zhongguo Jin Yin boli falang qi quanji, vol. 5, Shijiazhuang, 2002, pl. 37; a slightly later example of rectangular section, enamelled with dragons amongst flowers, in the Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Qing Dynasty. Metal-Bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 57; and a third example with a lotus scroll design sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30^th May 2006, lot 1554. Two dou censers, one bearing Yongzheng reign mark and the other a Qianlong mark and of the period, also adorned with two ringed phoenix-head handles, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, are included in Enamel Ware in the Ming and Ch'ing Dynasties, Taipei, 1999, pl. 29 and 30 respectively.