A LARGE AND POWERFULLY CAST BRONZE 'DRAGON' INCENSE BURNER LATE MING – EARLY QING DYNASTY

heavily cast with a bombé body rising to a slightly tapered neck and flared rim, all supported on a splayed foot, the exterior flanked by a pair of prominently protruding dragons' heads, the three-clawed mythical beasts rendered soaring with sinuous bodies across the exterior of the vessel with furcated mane and tails, all amidst ruyi-shaped cloud swirls and clusters, the bronze of a dark brown colour with the extremities patinated to copper-brown, the base centred with a six-character Xuande mark, wood stand

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 27th October 1992, lot 192.  
J.J. Lally & Co., New York, 1995.

Ma Jinhong, Ming Qing tongqi [Ming and Qing Bronzes], Shanghai, 2004, p. 55, no. 4.
Philip K. Hu, Later Chinese Bronzes - The Saint Louis Art Museum and Robert Kresko Collections, St. Louis, 2008, cat. no. 24.

There are minor debts and bruises to the fragile extremities especially the footrim, and visible scratches to the base.
"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 dynamic scene of dragons amidst clouds on bronze is a Xuande innovation. This is a type of incense burner where there has been considerable debate as to whether the Xuande marks are apocryphal, or if they could indeed be Xuande period. For another example of this form, see the Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong exhibition Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 139. Its vigorous depth of casting and style is related to carved lacquer of the period.

Compare also an incense burner of this type, with a Xuande reign mark and possibly of the period, included in the exhibition The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork, Sydney L. Moss Ltd., London, 1991, cat. no. 44; and a Xuande-marked gilt-bronze incense burner sold in these rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 1943.