A Pair of Doucai Tripod Incense Burners Qing Dynasty, Danning Tang Zhi Marks and Period of Daoguang

each with a globular body raised on three stout baluster legs below a short cylindrical neck and a flanged rim, set with two S-shaped handles issuing from the shoulder and reinforced with a tab, brightly decorated in doucai enamels with four large lotus blossoms of alternating aubergine and yellow colour, each placed below a spray of peaches supporting a shou character in iron-red and wreathed in multi-coloured foliate scrolls interlinked with bats biting on a tassel, with further detached sprays of lotus on the legs and bats and lotus around the neck and on the handles, the base detailed with a flower medallion within a pink circle, the edges of the handles and outer rim picked out with multi-coloured key-fret, the latter inscribed in iron red with a four-character Danning Tang zhi hall mark within a horizontal panel reserved in white

The right handle has been broken off and professionally refixed, just above the iron-red band at the shoulder. The left handle has been broken off and professionally refixed, with retouching to old restoration, below the pair of iron-red bats, at the side shown in the catalogue photo. There is other restoration to the reverse of the handle. There are other minor stained haircracks to the lower handles, and areas of retouching and restoration to the tips. Minor scratches to the enamels and iron-red spots to the glaze. Left incense burner: There is a crack to the lower part of the right handle, but it is intact. There is other minor surface wear and iron-red spots to the glaze, and minor surface wear. One foot has a tiny shallow nick of approx. 0.7 cm to the unglazed body, but the original flake has been preserved. Both incense burners are slightly warped, and appear to be missing their original covers.
"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."