明十七世紀 鎏金銅八寶雲龍爭珠圖簋式爐 《胡文明製》款

of archaistic gui form with a compressed globular body supported on a flared circular footrim, the body skilfully beaten-up from copper sheet, boldly chased in relief on each side with a pair of confronted four-clawed dragons reaching for a 'flaming pearl' all set against a punched ground, the upper band with a frieze of auspicious emblems and a scrolling band of foliated lingzhi stems around the footrim, the shoulders surmounted by a pair of mythical animal heads issuing handles, the base centred with a mark reading Hu Wenming zhi within a double-lined square

購於波多貝羅古董市集，倫敦，1991年

The incense burner is in overall good condition. There is a small old repair to the inner rim. There are also minor nicks to the rim and foot as consistent with age. The catalogue illustration is a tinge redder than the actual colour of the bronze.
"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."

水松石山房收藏一相類胡文明製香爐，售於香港蘇富比，2014年4月8日，編號240。該例與本拍品同為簋式爐，饕餮紋雙耳，紋飾手法工藝亦極為相似，僅夔龍紋不同於本拍品之雲龍戲珠紋。可比較另一香爐，載於 Gerard Tsang 及 Hugh Moss，〈Chinese Metalwork of the Hu Wenming Group〉，《Handbook, International Asian Antiques Fair》，香港，1984年，頁46，圖版9。此三例香爐龍紋各異，可見此紋飾或出自工匠之手，而非模製。製如此三例紋飾相近確又有細微差別的香爐，如使用模具，難免有些大費周章，毫無意義。由此可見，此三例香爐對於瞭解胡文明製爐所採用的工藝技法有重要意義。