AN ARCHAISTIC CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL INCENSE BURNER, FANG DING THE CENSER: MING DYNASTY, WANLI PERIOD, JINGTAI MARK THE LEGS: QING DYNASTY, QIANLONG PERIOD

of archaistic fang ding form, the rectangular-sectioned body brightly enamelled in blue, yellow and red with two confronting pairs of dragons and various auspicious emblems, including the endless knot, lotus blossoms and wan symbols, each side bordered and centred with a vertical gilt flange, the gilt rim surmounted by a pair of upright handles similarly decorated and gilt on the sides, all raised on four high splayed legs, later added during the Qing dynasty, cast in the form of a dragon, the base centred with a rectangular gilt panel cast with an apocryphal Jingtai mark

The censer has been adapted and raised on its gilt bronze legs during the 18th century. There are some areas of restorations to the cloisonné enamels, including some old occasional filling, visible especially on the handles and on the lower border of petal panels near the corners, but overall these have been rather well preserved. There is some wear and expected scratches to the surface gilding throughout, visible on the interior and the rim and as showing on the photo. There are small transversal breaks in the cast to the gilt bronze border surrounding the base of the censer towards each leg (visible on the catalogue photo). There are some losses of enamels on the base where the feet have been joined to the censer. The base of the censer is slightly detached from the vertical sides with an interstice showing along the joint. The actual colours are vibrant although somewhat less saturated when compared to 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."

Cloisonné enamel wares of the Wanli period are rare, and the present incense burner is particularly impressive for its combination of brilliant colours. The attractive tone of the sky blue ground, a yellow that resembles ginger, as well as the bold red used to depict the dragons were achieved by mixing different enamels and testify to the high level of experimentation and technical skills exercised by the craftsmen active during the Wanli period.

A slightly smaller incense burner of this form and decoration and with a later added Jingtai mark, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, was included in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 51; a slightly larger one with a Wanli mark and of the period, from the P.D. Krolik collection, was sold twice in our London rooms, 11th December 1962, lot 107, and 24th February 1970, lot 26; and a pair was sold in our London rooms, 15th February 1972, lot 5. See also a smaller example sold twice in our New York rooms, 17th January 1976, lot 356, and 18th September 2007, lot 136.