清康熙 銅蓮瓣紋三足雙沖耳薰爐 《大清康熙年製 》款

the heavily cast vessel of archaistic ding form with a compressed spherical body supported on three long tubular legs, each with two horizontal bands of raised beading, the exterior crisply cast with a band of stylised double-lotus petals enclosing a ruyi head, the rim surmounted by a pair of arched inverted 'U'-shaped handles, the recessed lip accommodating a pierced matching domed cover cast with a band of reticulated floral scroll with five stylised lotus flowers, the raised reticulated knop cast in the form of an elaborate chilong, the base cast in kaishu with a six-character reign mark

紐約蘇富比1981年5月8日，編號93

As visible in the catalogue photos, there is oxidisation to the body and general surface wear. There are tiny chips to the underside of the feet. The patina is a darker colour than in the catalogue photo.
"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."

兩岸故宮博物院的清宮收藏中不乏帶康熙銘款之瓷器、畫琺瑯器、掐絲琺瑯器，也有發表過一些後朝帶年款，特別是乾隆朝的銅器。但帶銘款之康熙銅器則極少見於博物館或私人收藏。此銅爐無疑是當中極其秀逸之稀例。

倫敦維多利亞與艾伯特博物館藏一件康熙款鬲式香爐，見柯玫瑰《Later Chinese Bronzes》，1990年，編號25。曾拍賣的一件稍小例子，香港蘇富比1984年11月20日，編號316；2005年11月28日香港佳士得再次拍賣，編號1455。一件灑金瓶於2012年5月16日倫敦蘇富比拍賣，編號149。

香爐很可能生產於宮廷作坊，供皇家寺院所用。銅爐的器型源自尊貴的西周青銅禮器鼎，著名一例為上海博物館館藏，見《上海博物館文物》，北京，1985年，圖版41。其器型，甚至耳及器足均忠於原型，但康熙器外壁紋飾已由西周鼎的波浪紋及饕餮紋改成番蓮及靈芝紋，爐蓋上鏤雕精美的番蓮及龍鈕，也是清朝的新元素。

一件稍小帶乾隆款的方鼎式銅爐為北京故宮博物院所藏，曾展於《邃古來今：慶祝故宮博物院建院八十周年清宮倣古文物精品特集》，澳門，2005年，圖版1。尺寸較大帶乾隆款的例子，有一對飾龍鳳的銅方壺，2007年10月9日於香港蘇富比拍賣，編號1322。