A GOLD-SPLASHED BRONZE TRIPOD CENSER MARK AND PERIOD OF TONGZHI

the compressed globular body supported by three conical feet, with a pair of loop handles rising from the rim, decorated overall with irregular gold splashes, the bronze patinated to a honey-brown tone, the base cast with a six-character reign mark in regular script within a recessed rectangle

Sotheby's London, 12th July 2006, lot 499.

Apart from typical light wear to the gold, light scratches and a few minor dents, the censer is overall in very good condition. The actual patina is darker and somewhat more green and less yellow compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

For a discussion of bronze censers of this type, but with apocryphal Xuande reign marks, see lot 173 in this catalogue. Further information is included in Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 150. Several examples are known with Zhengde marks of the Ming period, and with Kangxi and Yongzheng marks of the Qing dynasty. However, finely casted examples, including the present one, that bear a Tongzhi reign mark and is of the period, are extremely rare.

See a larger gold-splashed tripod censer of this type, bearing the signature of the late Ming metal caster Wu Bangzuo, sold in our New York rooms, 23rd March 2004, lot 548; another sold in our London rooms, 17th October 1978, lot 95; and one of closely related form and size, sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 31st May 2010, lot 2075, bearing a six-character Xuande reign mark.