明萬曆 五彩纏枝蕃蓮香薰 《大明萬曆年製》款

formed of three sections, the censer body of low cylindrical form supported on three ruyi-shaped feet below a flanged rim, vividly painted around the exterior with a foliate lotus scroll with blossoms in blue, red and white, between lotus sprays on the feet and a blue 'classic' scroll at the rim, the interior fitted with a dish-shaped porcelain liner decorated with fruiting and flowering branches of peach enclosed in lobed panels against a blue lattice ground, inscribed with a six-character reign mark, further surmounted by a domed cover reticulated with blue and red diapers within a border of detached mutli-coloured 'classic' scroll-segments and a composite floral scroll around the sides, all divided by line borders, the base partially glazed and inscribed in a countersunk medallion with another six-character reign mark within double circles

E. Hultmark 收藏，斯德哥爾摩
香港蘇富比1990年11月13日，編號148
紐約佳士得2002年3月21日，編號173

L. Reidemeister，《Ming-Porzellane ind schwedischen Sammlungen》，柏林，萊比錫，1935年，圖版46(c)。

The strap handles that were originally flanking the base and the feline tabs on the interior liner have been ground down. There are some typical imperfections and shrinkage in the glaze on the interior. There is fritting along the edge of the base on the underside. There are also firing inperfections to the liner and cover. There are a few old chips to the interior rim of the domed cover.
"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."

A Wanli censer in the Tokyo National Museum of this very rare form and with the same painting, with a pierced cover, four free-standing animals around the rim of the liner and two broad strap handles rising from the tripod base, is illustrated by Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt, Ming Porcelain, London, 1978, pl. 228, who notes that the shape is inspired by archaic bronze ding of the Eastern Zhou period. Another tripod base, lacking a cover or liner, is illustrated in Idemitsu Bijutsukan zōhin zuroku. Chūgoku tōji/Chinese Ceramics in the Idemitsu Collection, Tokyo, 1987, pl. 765.