明十七世紀 局部鎏金銅「蝶戀花」小瓶 《胡文明製》款

of cylindrical form with a waisted neck and base, supported on a flat circular foot, cast and chased around the main body with a design of two butterflies and flowering roses depicted above small leaf clusters, all set against a punched design of stylised floral diaper-ground and set between two raised bands, the neck with a band of stylised floral scroll set on a ring-punched ground, the outer mouthrim and the outer footrim both engraved with a continuous band of leiwen, the details on the relief, bands, lip and footrim all richly gilt, the inlaid copper foot engraved in zhuanshu with a four-character mark Hu Wenming zhi (‘Made by Hu Wenming’)

倫敦 Sydney L. Moss Ltd.，1983年5月

Sydney L. Moss Ltd.，《Documentary Chinese Works of Art in Scholars’ Taste》 ，倫敦，1983年，頁255，編號155
Gerard Tsang 及 Hugh Moss，，《Handbook, International Asian Antiques Fair》，香港，1984年，頁52，圖23

There are dents to the base, bruising and surface wear.
"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."

Hu Wenming from Songjiang, Jiangsu province, was one of the most accomplished master metalworkers of the late Ming period, who specialised in the production of gilt metal vessels for the scholar's desk.

The Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection comprises arguably the greatest group of Hu Wenming bronzes assembled in the modern era. The current sale includes eight Hu Wenming marked vessels, highlighted by lot 205, the masterpiece of inlaid gold and silver. Other vessels from the Collection have already been dispersed, notable examples being the pou incense burner and the inlaid-silver brushpot, sold in these rooms, 4th April 2012, lots 118 and 176.

The current incense-tool vase is the more commonly found form for a Hu Wenming vase than the yuhuchun vase, offered as lot 211.  For another incense-tool vase of similar form, see lot 220.