An Inscribed Gilt-Relief Copper Incense Burner By Wu Daolong, Hu Wenming Workshop, Ming Dynasty, 17th Century

of short cylindrical form, the flared body supported on three small ruyi-shaped feet, with an incurved flat lip and flat base, the exterior chased in relief with a broad band of various flowers including branches of tree-peony, lotus, camellia, magnolia and an additional variety of peony with a small lingzhi fungus, all in gilt relief on a ground of stylised diaper, all between narrow bands of identical stylised floral design, gilt and set on a ring-punched ground, the feet and lip also gilt, the copper body patinated to a rich brown colour, the base chased with two signatures reading Wu Daolong lanzhi yin ('Supervision of manufacture seal of Wu Daolong') and Yunjian Hu Wenming zhi ('Made by Hu Wenming of Yunjian')

Roger Keverne Ltd., London, December 2003.

There are minor dents, losses to the gilding and other general surface wear to the body. The patina is slightly darker in reality.
"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 additional information on the Hu Wenming workshop, see Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, 'Chinese Metalwork of The Hu Wenming Group', Handbook, International Asian Antiques Fair, Hong Kong, 1984, where it is proposed that the metalsmith Hu Wenming of Yunjian presided over a workshop with family members and perhaps others working for him, and that the ‘brand’ name would have been continued for some time after his demise, so that the name Hu Wenming which appears on so many pieces might be considered both as an individual signature and as a factory mark.  This rare example proves the point as it bears not only the name of the workshop in the form of Hu Wenming’s standard signature Yunjian Hu Wenming zhi (‘Made by Hu Wenming of Yunjian’) but also the name of the individual who supervised its manufacture, Wu Daolong, a previously unrecorded individual metalsmith.