A CLOISONNE ENAMEL 'CHILONG' TRIPOD CENSER MING DYNASTY, 16TH CENTURY

the compressed globular body rising from three cabriole feet to a short waisted neck and flat everted rim, flanked by two upright S-shape handles, brightly gilded and enamelled on a turquoise ground with two lively chilong writhing amongst multi-coloured cloud scrolls above waves, the base with four lotus blooms surrounded by meandering sprigs

There is restoration to the enamels around the legs and handles and to some areas to the sides, as well as on and under the rim.
"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."

Compare a cloisonné censer of related form in the Palace Museum, Beijing, such as one, but decorated with grapes, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Enamels, Vol. 1, Cloisonné in the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, Beijing, 2011, pl. 41. See also two censers similarly decorated with long-tailed dragons , but of different form and attributed to the late Ming period, also in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in Zhongguo meishu fenlei quanji. Zhongguo jinyin boli falang qi quanji. Vol. 5. Falangqi [Cloisonne] (1), Shijiazhuang, 2002, pls 87 and 89. Compare also a ewer enamelled with a related chilong design, illustrated in Harry Garner, Chinese and Japanese Cloisonne Enamels, London, 1962, pl. 33.