A PARCEL GILT-BRONZE AND SILVER CENSER WITH COVER MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

the bombé sides cast with five silver ruyi-shaped panels, each enclosing a high-relief scene of flowers and birds with one branch in openwork together with either a lion, deer or figure, the panels separated by detached stylised peony scrolls, all reserved on a circle-punched ground and resting on three elephant heads with trunks forming the columnar legs, further supported on a trilobed base with a scallopped apron, incised with a pair of cranes amidst peonies and clouds, set with a pair of upright inverted 'U'-shaped handles and a fitted peony-and-foliage reticulated cover surmounted by a lion finial

There is some wear to the gilding, otherwise the overall condition is very good.
"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."

Vessels of this design with barbed outline enclosing panels of decoration in high relief are very rare.  Compare related parcel gilt-bronze silver cup-stands, discovered in a hoard at Tongdao county, Hunan province and dated to the Southern Ming, illustrated in Wenwu, Beijing, 1984, no.2, p.91, figs. 11-16.  See also a parcel gilt-bronze cup and cupstand with barbed panels enclosing birds and prunus in high relief, from the R.H.Ellsworth Collection, no.GB124, offered in our New York rooms, 19th March 2002, lot 154.