A PARCEL-GILT BRONZE TRIPOD CENSER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, PROBABLY 18TH CENTURY

the compressed body with diamond diaper pattern, decorated with two opposing quatrefoil cartouches with felines and birds, all in high relief against a ring-punched ground, the sides applied with a pair of mythical beast head handles, all supported on three waisted legs, the openwork floral scroll cover with a lion-dog finial (2)

In Robert D. Mowry, China's Renaissance in Bronze, Phoenix Art Museum, 1993, the author illustrates two bronze pieces, nos. 27 and 28, with the surface induced to create a dark, gunmetal gray finish. He dates these pieces to probably the mid- to late 18th century. He also illustrates a censer similar to the present lot, no. 29, which he dates the same way.  

A similar censer dated 18th / 19th century, sold in our London rooms, 6th November 2013, lot 210.