A GOLD-SPLASH BRONZE ALMS-BOWL CENSER MING / EARLY QING DYNASTY

the globular body with rounded shoulders below an incurved lipped mouth, the exterior decorated with random gold splashes, the flat base inscribed in gilt with two characters reading bao yong (‘for treasured use’) in seal script

Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 229.

There is some surface wear on the base, some light pin-prick pitting on the exterior and a few very minute dents around the mouthrim, some malachite oxide on the interior, but overall the alms-bowl is in very good condition. The actual patina of the bronze is of a darker brown tone compared to the catalogue illustration.
"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 gold-splashed vessel is notable for its form, after Buddhist alms bowls, and for the extremely rare inscription on the base which reads bao yong that translates as ‘for treasured use’. Among later bronzes, alms bowls were converted into incense burners for the scholar’s studio, although they are generally larger than the present example and are more commonly found with two ring handles on the body. This is a smaller and more elegant version of the type, with the two gold characters on the base skilfully designed to match the random appearance of the splashing.

A gold-splashed bowl with a Xuande six-character reign mark, from the National Palace Museum, Taipei, was included in the exhibition Guan cang yadiao ji Ming, Qing tonglu tezhan / Special Exhibition of Ivory Carvings and Ming and Qing Incense Burners from the Museum's Collection, Kumamoto City Museum, Kumamoto, 1997, cat. no. 178, which may have served as inspiration for the present example. See also a bowl sold in these rooms, 15th May 1990, lot 353; a slightly larger example sold in our London rooms, 13th July 2005, lot 191; and a plain bronze bowl of this type, attributed to the Ming dynasty, published in The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork, London, 1991, pl. 45, where the present piece is mentioned as a comparable example.