A MASSIVE GILT-BRONZE 'ELEPHANT' TRIPOD CENSER AND COVER QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY |

heavily cast with the bombé body supported on three elephant-head legs each with curled tusks and bejeweled harnesses, the deep sides in high relief with stylized lotus blossoms borne on undulating leafy foliate scrolls, flanked by a pair of elephant-head handles with upturned trunks, the domed cover similarly decorated with lotus blossoms and undulating leafy stems in openwork, surmounted by a recumbent elephant in elaborate embellishment, carrying on its back a basin with auspicious emblems and treasures, the base cast with a four-character mark reading tianhua haoyu (blessed by the rain from heaven) (2)

Collection of Robert Strauss, Esq.
Sotheby's London, 29th October 1982, lot 146.
Sotheby's Hong Kong, 12th May 1983, lot 266.

The rim of the censer with three cracks, two of which are consolidated and with some loss. The cover has been cleaned along the rim.The surface of both the censer and cover with some visible casting patches, traces of a dark residue and with extensive wear, pitting and small losses which are most evident at the legs.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The four-character mark cast to the base of the present censer is rare, and only a small group of examples bearing the same mark appears to be recorded, including a similar ungilt censer and cover, offered at Christie's New York, 25th-26th March 2010, lot 1322. Although the origin of the mark remains unknown, the four characters tianhua haoyu appear to have been used interchangeably as the phrase tianhua fayu, which is an auspicious quote in Buddhism.

The present censer is also notable for its impressive size and elaborate decorations, which testify to the high level of craftsmanship achieved by artisans during the height of the Qing dynasty. For other censers of this type but of smaller size, see one with an inscription dating to the 35th year of Qianlong (1770), sold three times at Sotheby's, twice in these rooms, 7th-8th April 1988, lot 308, and 28th-29th September 1989, lot 245, and the third time in our Hong Kong rooms, 5th October 2011, lot 2097; and another, partially gilt and with stone inlay, sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 30th May 2012, lot 4128. See also an ungilt censer, dated 17th / 18th century, sold in our London rooms, 10th November 2015, lot 271; and another sold at Christie's New York, 15th September 2011, lot 2463.