清乾隆 銅鎏金銀雲蝠紋三足朝天耳爐 《大清乾隆年敬造》款

the deep slightly rounded body supported on three tapering cylindrical legs, the central register cast in relief with twelve open-winged bats flying amongst stylised clouds, between a thin floral band under the rim and lobed lappets below, the square-lipped rim set with a pair of inverted U-shaped handles, and cast with a Da Qing Qianlong nian jingzao ('Respectfully made in the Qianlong period of the Great Qing dynasty') mark against a key-fret scroll

The censer is quite heavily cast, the interior lined with a thick copper sheet that has been worked in repousse reproducing the design visible on the exterior and base.The exterior is silvered, the raised parts of the design including the mark gilt. The surface has been polished. One leg is slightly bent inwards. The handles probably made separately and then attached, one handle reattached.
"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."

The present incense burner is unusual for the composition of its material, cast in bronze and covered with silvered and gilt-copper reproducing the design in repousse technique. Originally part of a garniture comprising a pair of gu-shaped vases, a pair of candlesticks and a tripod incense burner, the present lot is comparable in its design of bats between clouds also found on a tripod incense burner that forms the central element of a five-part garniture in the Summer retreat at Chengdu, illustrated in The Qing Emperors and the Chengde Mountain Resort, Beijing, 2003, p. 75.