Important brûle-parfum tripode couvert en bronze doré et émaux cloisonnés Dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong

dressé sur trois pieds colonnes, chacun orné d'une cigale stylisée, d'un masque taotie et de dragons kui affrontés, la panse profonde divisée en deux parties, le registre inférieur abritant masques de taotie dans des cartouches en réserve sur fond de fleurettes roses se répétant sur les pieds, le registre supérieur abritant deux rangées de masques affrontés alternés de médaillons en relief ornés d'enroulements, le bord saillant souligné d'une frise de grecques se continuant le long des anses en 'U' inversés répétant le décor de masques stylisés et fleurettes roses, le couvercle agrémenté d'un décor archaïsant de masques d'animaux en filigrane sur fond émaillé noir, la prise du couvercle émaillée et prise dans une cage en bronze doré à décor ajouré de grues parmi les fleurs et boutons de lotus dans leur feuillage (2)

The censer and cover are in overall very good condition, with very light overall wear to the gilding and enamels. It is heavily cast and both vessel and cover are lined with copper. The base of the feet have traces of felt caps. The enamels are vibrant. There is very light pitting and small areas of loss to the enamels on the body, feet and handles. The gilding on the rim shows minor traces of wear. The inside of the vessel is lined with copper that has patches of azurite patina. The cover is very slightly warped but still fits in well on the censer. Small parts of the black enamel in the recessed parts of the stepped cover and the rim may have been retouched or filled in. The knob is covered in a beautifully detailed gilt-bronze openwork casing. One pod of the central flower is missing and an area that has been pushed in. There is also a ca. 1.5 cm long crack to one leaf on the side (visible in the catalogue illustration). There is a ca. 3 cm long shallow dent on the rim of the cover.
"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 companion piece to the present cloisonne enamel censer is in the Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, a gift of Samuel P. Avery (1822-1904), New York, to the museum in 1909, accession number 09.483a-b.