A JUNYAO PURPLE-SPLASHED TRIPOD INCENSE BURNER NORTHERN SONG – JIN DYNASTY |

the globular body rising from three cabriole legs to a constricted neck and everted mouth, applied overall save for the base and feet with a milky-blue glaze and splashed with purple on the interior, the glaze thinning to a mushroom tone along the rim

Tai Sing Fine Antiques Ltd., Hong Kong, 1990s.

There are two shallow flakes to the rim (approx. 0.6cm wide), some minor glaze firing imperfections and surface scratches.
"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."

Wares from the typesite Juntai in Yu county, Henan province, an area formerly known as Junzhou, are remarkable for their luscious thick glaze of intense colouration which can vary from light blue to deep turquoise blue. It was in the early twelfth century that potters started applying splashes of copper to the glaze before firing, resulting in patches of purple, lavender and tones of deep blue on the milky-blue primary glaze. The form of this incense burner derives from the archaic bronze liding, a ritual vessel from the Shang to Han dynasties (16th century BC-220 AD) and reflects the interest in antiquity amongst members of the educated elite. The literati of the day formed collections of ancient bronzes which were used only on special occasions to prevent them from wear and damage; thus contemporary vessels of bronze and ceramics based on antique models were commissioned. See a related example formerly in the collection of Aizaburo Iinuma, illustrated in Mayuyama: Seventy Years, Tokyo, 1976, pl. 407, and sold in these rooms, 2nd December 2016, lot 527.