A Bronze Incense Burner Stand Qing Dynasty, 17th / 18th Century

of circular form with a pronounced rim and flat surface, supported on three stylised ruyi feet, the base cast with an apocryphal inscription Da Ming Xuande wunian Neifu tianzi yihao gongbu guan chen Wu Bangzuo zao (‘Made during the fifth year of the Xuande reign of the Ming dynasty as number one in the category ‘Tian’ by Wu Bangzuo at the Ministry of Works’)

Sotheby’s New York, 20th September 2000, lot 51 (part of a group).

There is general surface wear and oxidisation to the surface, but overall is in good condition. The patina is slightly darker than in the catalogue photo.
"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 inscriptions notes the Inner Palace as the place of manufacture and a catalogue number using the character ‘tian’, but the inscription is one of a series of apocryphal ones stating that Wu Bangzuo, the Minister of the Ministry of Works in the 5th year of Xuande, supervised production which tend to appear on late Ming and Qing incense burners.  Whether or not such an inscription appeared on any Xuande period bronzes is unclear, as there do not appear to be any credible extant examples, but it became a standard late Ming or Qing designation.  For a related example, see Paul Moss and Gerard Hawthorn, The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork. Sydney Moss Ltd., London, 1991, cat. no. 46.