A BRONZE CENSER 17TH CENTURY

finely cast with a compressed globular body rising from a short foot to a gently flared rim, set with a pair of lion-head handles, the base with an apocryphal inscription reading Daming Xuande wunian jiandu gongbu guanchen Wu Bangzuo zao (Made for the Board of Works under the Supervision of Wu Bangzuo in the Fifth Year of Xuande) in a recessed square, the patina of a warm brown colour 

This censer is in good condition, but does have an area of slight re-patination to one side. There is some scratches to the surface throughout and staining and rubbing to the patiination
"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."

A smaller censer also with a Wu Bangzuo mark, in the National Museum of History, Taipei, was included in the exhibition Guan cang ya diao ji Ming Qing tong lu te zhan. Rekishi Hakubutsukan korekushon zōge chōkoku oyobi Min Shin dōro shōrai tokuten, Kumamote City Museum, Kumamote, 1997, cat. no. 231.