A CELADON JADE RETICULATED 'LINGZHI' INCENSE BURNER QING DYNASTY, 18TH – 19TH CENTURY |

of compressed globular form finely carved and pierced with lingzhi and day lily sprays among dense foliage, below a border of intertwining ruyi, cover centred with a ‘shou’ symbol, surrounded by five bats, the smoothly polished stone with some russet veins, wood stand

The incense burner is in overall good condition. There is some expected surface wear and some insignificant nicks or nibbling along the surface edge.
"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."

This censer is remarkable for its elaborate openwork floral design which imbues the piece with a wonderful tactile quality. The dense lingzhi and narcissus scroll was expertly carved with minute details, showcasing the artisan's technical virtuosity. Such intricately carved and pierced burners, were popular in the 18th and 19th century, and were used to add fragrance to an area or room with aromatic scents released through their openwork designs. Incense burners of this elegant globular form, with a small flat lid, are rare and no other closely related example appears to have been published. Censers carved in openwork with complex floral designs were more commonly made in the form of covered bowls, such as one from the Qing court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum. Jade, vol. 10, Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 94, together with a spinach-green jade example with a tall knobbed cover, pl. 96, and a white jade one with floral handles, pl. 97; another spinach-green jade censer, also in the Palace Museum, Beijing, published in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum: Jadeware III, Hong Kong, 1995,  pl. 40; and a slightly smaller white jade censer, from the collection of Heber R. Bishop, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, accession no. 02.18.585a,b.

The floral motif on this piece bestows good fortune and wishes for longevity upon its owner: the narcissus (shuixian), the flower of good fortune and prosperity, contains in its name the character for 'immortal' (xian), and together with lingzhi, the immortality fungus, and the meandering leafy scroll, they express the wish for a long life.