A cloisonné enamel tripod censer and cover, Mark and period of Qianlong | 清乾隆 掐絲琺瑯纏枝蓮紋象耳三足爐配蓋 《乾隆年製》款

Collection of Dr Wou Kiuan (1910-1997).

Wou Lien-Pai Museum, coll. no. Q.11.17.

吳權博士 (1910-1997) 收藏

吳蓮伯博物院，編號Q.11.17

The elaborate gilt openwork on the cover and the two elephant-head handles set to the shoulder of this cloisonné enamel censer are remarkable. The dynamic depiction of dragons chasing a ‘flaming pearl’ around the cover is a display of the fine workmanship achieved by the craftsmen during the Qianlong reign (r. 1736-95). Related decoration can be found encircling the domed cover of a censer preserved in the Palace Museum, Beijing (accession no. gu-118690), cast in a lower relief than the present piece, illustrated as part of an alter set (wugong) in Compendium of Collection in the Palace Museum. Enamels, vol. 3, Cloisonné in the Qing Dynasty, Beijing, 2011, pl. 7.

Elephants were a popular theme at the Qing (1644-1911) court and are full of auspicious associations. The Chinese term (xiang) figures in numerous rebuses to convey peace, prosperity and good fortune. The Palace Museum, Beijing has a few cloisonné enamel censers which are also flanked by a pair of elephant handles, including one with elephant-shaped handles and feet (accession no. gu-116157), but with straight sides and with the Eight Trigrams in openwork on the cover, illustrated ibid., pl. 208; and three more examples with their finials also cast in the shape of an elephant, ibid., pls 207, 209 and 210.