An Arabic-Inscribed Bronze Incense Burner Cast Mark and Period of Zhengde

of deep rounded form with gently curving ‘S’-shaped sides, supported on a high circular foot, the exterior cast in relief with a continuous design of four circular panels enclosing an Arabic invocation, together reading afdal al-dhikr la ilaha illa allah  ('The most virtuous supplication is: There is no god but The God'), all against a ground of stylised scrolling lotus, above and below narrow bands of stylised floral scroll at the shoulder and foot, the base with a band of stylised lotus petals which are echoed, upside down, the footrim evenly serrated,  the foot cast with a recessed rectangular cartouche enclosing a kaishu six-character Zhengde mark, gilt-bronze stand from the Qing dynasty, Qianlong period, pierced and decorated with lingzhi

Hugh M. Moss Ltd., London, prior to 1975.

The incense burner: oxidisation to the body and general surface wear. The patina is much darker in reality than in the catalogue photo. The stand: rubbing to the gilding, minor bruises and surface scratching
"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."

This boldly cast incense burner is amongst the finest quality of all Zhengde reign-marked bronze wares, many of which incorporate Arabic inscriptions in their designs in keeping with the emperor's religious leanings, and one of those made in substantial cast bronze rather than beaten copper. For another Zhengde reign-marked  bronze incense burner and cover with stand preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing, of rectangular form with similar Arabic invocation and cast reign mark, see Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2008, cat. no. 110. 

There are other forms of Zhengde reign-marked bronze incense burners, such as the Zhengde reign-marked straight-sided incense burner sold in these rooms, 4th April 2012, lot 143.  However, no other bowl of this shape appears to be recorded, although given the multiple forms of incense burners in the Ming and their popularity, it seems more likely that this was intended as an incense burner and not as a bowl for some other purpose. 

It is inscribed in sini script, a Chinese Islamic calligraphic form for the Arabic script, developed in the early Ming dynasty. It can refer to any type of Chinese Islamic calligraphy, but is commonly used to refer to script with thick and tapered effects, such as on the current box. It is used extensively in mosques in Eastern China, and to a lesser extent in Gansu, Ningxia and Shaanxi. Early examples of the script date to the early Ming dynasty, notably the mihrab of the Niujue mosque in Beijing. The mosque itself was founded in 996 during the Liao dynasty, but rebuilt in 1442 during the Zhengtong era.