清乾隆 仿定窰白釉雕饕餮紋三足爐 《大清乾隆年製》款

reposant sur trois pieds cambrés à têtes de lion, le corps globulaire finement sculpté et moulé en relief d'une large bande de deux grands masques de taotie stylisés, l'épaule ornée de bandes de virgules archaïsantes entrelacées, le col décoré d'un méandre et d'une frise de ruyi, les bords soulignés par une bande de grecques entourant une marque en relief à six caractères en sigillaire

The censer is in overall very good condition. The central front leg is slightly leaning to one side (visible in the catalogue illustration). There is a tiny, ca. 0.2cm bruise to the glaze not the cereal mask above the central leg. There are scattered pin-point imperfections to the glaze. There are 9 spur marks to the base. The glaze is a creamy tone over crisply mounded and carved details. The glaze a softer, creamier tone than the catalogue illustration suggests.
"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."

This censer belongs to a small group of Imperial porcelains produced under the Qianlong emperor that is referred to as 'fang Ding yao' ('in imitation of Ding wares) after the bluish opaque white glaze of the much celebrated official 'Ding' wares of the Song dynasty. It is very rare to find a monochrome white censer such as the present example bearing a reign mark. A white-glazed censer of the same form and design, possibly the pair to the present piece, was sold in Sotheby's London, 13th June 1989, lot 348, and again in Sotheby's London, 20th June 2001, lot 24. Several related monochrome white vessels with a similarly carved and moulded designs imitating 'Ding' wares bearing a raised Qianlong seal mark, formerly in the Qing Imperial collection, are illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum, vol. 37: Monochrome Porcelain, Hong Kong, 1999, pls. 239 and 241.