清十七 / 十八世紀 灑金銅「獬豸」香爐

exquisitely modelled as a mythical beast xiezhi adorned with gilt splashes, standing foursquare on its sharp-clawed feet, the head cast as a hinged cover with bulging round gilt-decorated eyes beneath a curved horn and bushy eyebrows, above flaring nostrils and an opened mouth with menacing fangs baring a flicked tongue, with two stylised plumes of smoke issuing from its cheeks alongside the pointed ears, wearing a twisted tasselled collar suspending a bell forming the hinge, the round hollowed body defined with a well-combed mane and ruyi-shaped clouds cast on the shoulders and sides of the body, attached with an upright removable tail with radiating tufts of fur

Alfred Speelman，1975年以前

The metalwork and gold splashes are in overall good condition. There are minor scratches and bruises to the extremities, including the tip of the whisker that extends above the left ear. There are also small chips to the rim of the body, caused by the weight of the cover being closed. There is an old casting repair visible to the interior, covering a tiny hole on the left side of the body. ‎There is a small dent to the left cheek. The colour in the catalogue photo is fairly accurate.
"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."

此灑金銅爐器形碩大，精工鑄造，作傳說中瑞獸獬豸之造形，難得特出，類同北京紫禁城宮殿陳設之香爐。現存北京故宮的一對乾隆銅胎掐絲琺瑯作例，可參考何翠媚及 Bennet Bronson，《Splendors of China’s Forbidden City. The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong》，倫敦及紐約，2004年，圖版37，此處作者提及，此類瑞獸銅爐器形類同於傳統宮廷偏好之器，香氤自敞開的獸口溢出，敦促帝王應廣納忠言，並鼓勵臣屬誠實直諫。

相同形制之鎏金銅爐，但尺寸較小，可參考 Paul Moss 及 Gerard Hawthorn，《The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork》，Sydney L. Moss Ltd，倫敦，1991年，編號18、19，另一件灑金銅爐售於香港佳士得2011年6月1日，編號3948。