明嘉靖 / 萬曆 銅錯銀開光花鳥瑞獸紋沖耳鼎式爐

of compressed globular form supported on three tapered cylindrical legs and surmounted by two upright rectangular handles, the exterior intricately decorated in inlaid silver wire with three foliate medallions, one with a flying bird, a stag, lingzhi and peonies growing from a rocky ground, another with two birds flying above a lotus pond with a cattail growing alongside the lotus, and the third with two pheasants and peonies, set against a ground of leiwen scroll and above and below bands of archaistic wave bands, the outer handles and their edges decorated with additional wave bands above an outer lip leiwen, the underside decorated with a formalised floral diaper, the legs with leiwen, hongwu stand carved in the form of a stylised lotus leaf on three short feet

There are minute chips to the handles, rim and tips of the feet. General surface wear and scratching. The patina is slightly darker in reality.
"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."

The style of decoration of the panels on this incense burner closely matches that on late Ming lacquer and ceramic design, enabling the vessel to be accurately dated to the Jiajing or Wanli period.  For a Wanli period lacquer tray with similar decoration of pheasants and flowers in the Palace Museum, Beijing, see The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum. Lacquer Wares of the Yuan and Ming Dynasties, Hong Kong, 2006, pl. 171.  The silver inlay on this vessel is superbly controlled, with the repetitive formalised patterns achieved with very thin silver wire under complete technical and artistic control.