明成化 銅嵌金銀線「水波游龍」圖三足雙耳爐 《大明成化年萬家造》款

cast in the form of the archaic bronze li ding vessel, the compressed globular body with shallow rounded sides rising to a waisted neck and an everted rim, set with a pair of 'S'-shaped handles pierced with vertical rounded square holes, all supported on three bulging cabriole feet, the exterior brightly inlaid in gold and silver wires with two four-clawed dragon-fish flying above crested waves, each breathing forth a cloud of vapor enclosing a heavenly, two-storey house amidst stylized clouds, all below a band of 'classic' scroll collaring the neck and a frieze of zig-zags at the rim, the handles further detailed with ruyi, key-fret and zig-zags along the edges, the feet decorated with animal heads inlaid in silver with gold encircling the eyes, the base with the Eight Precious Objects inlaid in silver within double circles, centred with a nine-character inscription in regular script Da Ming Chenghua nian Wanjia zao 'Made in the reign of Chenghua period in the Ming dynasty by the Wan family', the metal patinated to an attractive auburn-brown colour with golden undertones

Stephen Junkunc III 收藏，芝加哥
紐約佳士得1995年9月21日，編號289

Apart from few minor nicks along the edges and some original casting pitts in the metal on the base (now black), the censer is in very good condition. A few minor sections of metal inlays are missing. There are a few light surface scratches on the base, consistent with age.
"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."

成化署年款器十分罕有，本品爐底詳署造者名款，曰「大明成化年萬家造」，更為珍稀。

相若銅爐例，裝飾貼金梵文及嵌銀線花卉圖案，屬巴黎亞洲藝術博物館典藏，底有相同署款，載於 R. Soame Jenyns 及 William Watson，《Chinese Art. The Minor Arts》，倫敦，1963年，頁137，圖版60，書中指出明代銅器見有宣德以外其他年款者實為難得。倫敦大英博物館藏有一件嵌金銀鼎式爐，出處同上，圖版58，可資比對。

本品所飾龍紋屬典型成化風格，見於同期青花瓷器上，比較一件成化窰青花雙龍趕珠紋盤，載於《成化瓷器特展圖錄》，台北，2003年，編號1，該書同錄一件成化窰青花雲龍戲珠大盌，見編號4，兩件皆為台北國立故宮博物院典藏。