A FINE CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL TRIPOD CENSER MING DYNASTY, 15TH CENTURY

the cylindrical body rising from three ruyi-shaped feet to an everted rim, flanked by a pair of upright scrolled handles, the exterior brightly decorated against a turquoise ground with leafy scrolling lotus, the base and the rim gilt

Bluett & Sons, London, 4th June 1985.
Collection of Juan Jose Amezaga.
Christie's Paris, 13th June 2007, lot 1.

 

There is a 9cm by 9.5cm area of restoration to one foot and surrounding area of blue ground and a smaller area of repaired enamel to another foot 2cm by 2cm. There is an area of restoration to the body under one handle 9cm by 4cm. There is rubbing to the gilding in various areas throughout.
"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 striking and unusual for its large size which is uncommon for early-Ming cloisonné enamel wares. Its robust form and clarity of decoration, achieved through the use of primary colours and a simple, regulated composition, are characteristic of the finest 15^th century wares. The possible pair to this censer is on permanent display at the Bristol City Art Gallery no. Or N8195 and has a two-character inscription lou shang (upper floor) to the inside of one leg which may relate to its location within the palace. 

A closely related vessel, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is illustrated in Zhongguo jin yin boli falang qi quanji, vol. 5, Shijiazhuang, 2002, pl. 20, together with a similar censer, but with side gilt-bronze handles cast in the form of dragons and with a cover, pl. 19. See also a censer of this type, but with later added gilt-metal handles in the form of stylised birds, from the Charles Rochard collection and now in the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, included in the Oriental Ceramic Society exhibition The Arts of the Ming Dynasty, London, 1957, cat. no. 317, and the exhibition Cloisonné. Chinese Enamels from the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, Bard Graduate Centre, New York, 2011, cat. no. 22.

 

The scrolling lotus design on this piece has been inspired by Tibetan Buddhist motifs which gained much popularity amongst the court from the reign of the Yongle emperor. The swooping C-shaped leafy branches and large lotus blooms closely resemble that found on contemporary blue-and-white ware and indicates the close relationship between porcelain production and vessels made from other media for the court.