A YELLOW-GROUND FAMILLE-ROSE TRIPOD INCENSE BURNER SEAL MARK AND PERIOD OF JIAQING

the compressed globular body rising from three cabriole legs to a short neck with a galleried rim, flanked by a pair of upright everted handles each pierced with a rectangular aperture and painted with a pair of pink and blue bats on each end, the body brightly enamelled against a rich yellow ground with the beribboned baijixiang amongst meandering foliage and stylised lotus, the neck encircled with further floral scrolls and with a band of ruyi heads at the shoulders, the handles and legs similarly adorned with leafy blooms, the base with a single bloom encircled by a pink band of C-scrolls, the rim centred with a six-character seal mark in iron red within a gilt rectangular cartouche surrounded by a band of keyfret, the interior enamelled turquoise

The incense burner is in good overall condition with just minor general surface wear and areas of misfiring to the exterior, minute enamel flakes and minor rubbing to the gilding at the rim. There is a firing flaw to the tip of one of the feet.
"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 imposing and brilliantly enamelled yellow-ground incense burner was most likely the centrepiece for a five-piece altar garniture, flanked by a pair of candlesticks and gu vases. Of ding form, based on the shape of archaic ritual vessels of the Shang dynasty, its cauldron-like shape supported on three curved legs reflect the predilection in the Qing dynasty for vessels in the form of archaic bronzes of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Although altar wares could be manufactured in a variety of materials and interpretations of the floral scroll motif, the original profile of the archaic models was retained.

A smaller yellow-ground incense burner of this form was sold in these rooms, 3rd October 2017, lot 3715.