A GILT-COPPER LADLE, ATTRIBUTED TO HU WENMING MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

the bowl of formalized lingzhi-shape with a stem simulating a slightly tapering branch of bamboo, the nodes junctions inlaid with silver bosses to represent the removed sprigs, two branches of gilt leaves growing from the stem and extending below the bowl on raised lobes edged with scrolling silver lines

Nicholas Grindley, London, December 1981.

Special Exhibition for the International Asian Antiques Fair, Furama Hotel, Hong Kong, 1984.
Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 220.

Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, 'Chinese metalwork of the Hu Wenming Group', Handbook International Asian Antiques Fair, Hong Kong, 1984, pl. 40.

Apart from some wear and rubbing to the gilding, consistent with age, the ladle is in quite good condition.
"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."

Finely cast in copper, gold and silver, the present ladle is possibly the work of the late Ming dynasty master metalworker Hu Wenming (1570-1640) from Yunjian, located to the southwest of Shanghai. Another related ladle is illustrated in Oriental Works of Art, Gerard Hawthorn Ltd., London, 1997, pl. 37. Compare also a ladle of quatrefoil form, the head decorated with a phoenix, attributed to the workmanship of Hu, offered in these rooms, 23rd October 2005, lot 497.

Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss in Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 232, suggest that this ladle may have been used for scooping water from a large water vessel as it has a series of water marks running across the spoon. They further note, ibid., p. 232, that 'the elegance of this example attests to the care that would have been taken with such ladles of all sizes (this seems to be an unusually large one) and it is surprising that as a class, like incense tools, they seem not to have survived in quantities related to their obviously extensive manufacture.'

For examples of works by Hu see an incense burner included ibid., p. 110, pl. 73, where the authors discuss in detail Hu's work; a gui censer in the collection of the Art Gallery, New South Wales, Australia, included in the museum's official website; and the pou and bronze gui in this catalogue, lot 118 and lot 167.