明宣德 鎏金銅甪端薰爐 《大明宣德年製》款

boldly cast as an incense burner in the form of a luduan depicted standing on a snake-like mythical creature, gripping it with its four claws, the serpentine figure coiled around forming the base of the vessel, the beast's head flaring nostrils and bushy eyebrows, the hollow body cast with flaming flanks, the back flames terminating in stylised ruyi heads, around an elaborate tail with skilfully delineated tufts of hair, the chest cast with a long strip of scaling decorated with an elaborate collar around its shoulders, suspending a bell and two ornamental tassels, the underside of the body cast with a six-character mark within a recessed panel, the head also hollow with mouth open enabling egress, its mane meticulously cast with ruyi, all richly gilt save for the interior of the vessel

紐約蘇富比1992年12月1日，編號203

As visible in the catalogue photo, there are minor dents and bruises to the surface, especially at the extremities. There is also rubbing to the gilding. There is a 0.5cm crack to the right ear. Overall good condition.
"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."

薰爐鎏金厚實，細節精巧豐富，獸面表情生動，鬈毛細緻堆疊，足爪穩實有力。一件近類薰爐，鑄宣德年款於頸環，原為水松石山房珍藏，2014年4月8日售於香港蘇富比，編號233。風格亦可比較一件大明宣德年製銘雙雲龍紋香爐，錄於《文玩萃珍》，馮平山博物館，香港，1986年，編號139，2011年10月5日售於香港蘇富比，編號1943。

Gerard Tsang 及 Hugh Moss 於 《文玩萃珍》，前述出處，頁240，提及宣德帝曾詔命為皇家宮殿和寺院，鑄造大量薰爐。此類獸形薰爐來源難考，然明末已見盛行，《十竹齋箋譜》，首印於1645年，中木刻版畫插圖描繪一件類同薰爐，作祥獸伴出水蟒龍，載於《中國竹刻藝術》，卷1，香港，1978年，頁179，圖15。類同形制亦見不同材質之爐，一例竹刻，刊於《中國竹刻藝術》，前述出處，圖版26；還有一件龍泉青瓷作例，訂為十六世紀，原為 Maeda 家族收藏，售於香港佳士得2014年5月28日，編號3413。

此類薰爐焚香時，香氳自獸口湧出，甪端如生，吐納自若。何翠湄及 Bennet Bronson 於展覽圖錄《Splendors of China’s Forbidden City. The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong》，菲爾德自然史博物館，芝加哥，2004年，編號 73，頁49，刊載北京故宮博物院藏一對乾隆掐絲琺瑯甪端形薰爐，並指出此類香爐深受皇室青睞，因其敞開獸口，青煙湧溢，時時警惕君王需廣納諫言。