A rare archaistic parcel-gilt bronze tripod censer, Mark and period of Qianlong | 清乾隆 銅灑金夔龍紋出戟三足爐 《大清乾隆年製》款

This finely cast censer epitomizes the reverence for antiquity during the Qianlong period (1736-95). Similar casting and archaistic designs can be found on another rare gold-splashed vessel, a Qianlong reign-marked 'double phoenix' vase in the Musée Cernuschi, included in the exhibition Bronze de la China impérial des Song aux Qing, Musée Cernuschi, Paris, 2013, cat. no. 49. Compare also a ding-form censer bearing a similar reign mark, sold at Christie's London, 12th November 2001, lot 157.