A BRONZE HANDWARMER AND COVER ZHANG MINGQI MARK, LATE MING DYNASTY

of oval form, the compressed globular body rising from a flat base rounded shoulders and a lipped mouthrim, the well-fitted domed cover intricately pierced with a diapered ground of florettes and quatrefoil motifs, the base incised with a four-character seal mark reading Zhang Mingqi Zhi (‘Made by Zhang Mingqi’)

Sir Percival David (1892-1964), and thence to Lady David.
Sotheby’s London, 14th December 1976, lot 240.
Hugh M. Moss Ltd., Hong Kong.
Dr. Ip Yee Collection, Hong Kong.
Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 22nd November 1984, lot 790.

There are minor scratches, pinholes and other surface wear to the body, but overall 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."

The design and craftsmanship of Zhang Mingqi is renowned and has been copied extensively in later periods. However, as Hausmann notes, the current example is an original which demonstrates the outstanding quality of the best of his works. It has a wonderfully tactile and sophisticated super-elliptical shape which sits beautifully in the hand, like a pebble from a river bed. The meticulously cut-out lid is carefully shaped, creating a tension in the rim of the lid making it possible to turn the object upside down without the lid falling off. As is the case with the best handwarmers, this example greatly relies on the interplay of the cut-out sections of the lid and the material which remains, the yin and yang, the dark and light, for its powerful effect. For a more detailed discussion of Zhang Mingqi and other contemporaries’ works see Hausmann's essay article Keeping warm in a cold study,reproduced in this catalogue.

The exquisite super-elliptical shape of this piece is the topic of a forthcoming article by Ulrich Hausmann.