明十七世紀 銅錯金銀夔龍紋鼎式爐 （傳）胡文明製

of archaistic ding form, the compressed globular body supported on three tapered cylindrical legs, the everted rim surmounted by a pair of arched handles, the upper body cast with a raised band enclosing three pairs of stylised archaistic dragons inlaid in gold and depicted in confronting poise, separated from each other by raised flanges, all against a ground of leiwen intricately inlaid in silver wire

倫敦 Sydney L. Moss Ltd，1983年5月

Gerard Tsang 及 Hugh Moss，，《Handbook, International Asian Antiques Fair》，香港，1984年，頁49，圖15

Please note the patina of the incense burner is darker in reality and the gold inlay more brilliant. There is general surface wear to the body, including a 0.3cm casting imperfection to the underside. There are also minor dents and bruises to the tips of the legs.
"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 and quality of the inlaid decoration on this incense burner is closely related to that on the Hu Wenming incense burner inscribed with a 1583 date, originally in the Betty James Westbrook collection, offered as lot 205 in this auction. Although the current example is unsigned, it can be confidently attributed to the Hu Wenming workshop, through the similarity of the style and quality of the gold-inlaid decoration, silver-wire leiwen ground and decoration of the dragons.