明萬曆 銅胎掐絲琺瑯雙龍捧壽紋鼎式爐 四足：清乾隆 《大明景泰年製》仿款

of archaistic fang ding form, the rectangular-sectioned body brightly enamelled in blue, yellow and red with two confronting pairs of dragons and various auspicious emblems, including the endless knot, lotus blossoms and wan symbols, each side bordered and centred with a vertical gilt flange, the gilt rim surmounted by a pair of upright handles similarly decorated and gilt on the sides, all raised on four high splayed legs, later added during the Qing dynasty, cast in the form of a dragon, the base centred with a rectangular gilt panel cast with an apocryphal Jingtai mark

The censer has been adapted and raised on its gilt bronze legs during the 18th century. There are some areas of restorations to the cloisonné enamels, including some old occasional filling, visible especially on the handles and on the lower border of petal panels near the corners, but overall these have been rather well preserved. There is some wear and expected scratches to the surface gilding throughout, visible on the interior and the rim and as showing on the photo. There are small transversal breaks in the cast to the gilt bronze border surrounding the base of the censer towards each leg (visible on the catalogue photo). There are some losses of enamels on the base where the feet have been joined to the censer. The base of the censer is slightly detached from the vertical sides with an interstice showing along the joint. The actual colours are vibrant although somewhat less saturated when compared to 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."

萬曆一朝，銅胎掐絲琺瑯器者，相見尤少。觀本品，琺瑯發色精純，彩調配比自然，足見匠者修藝熟善。

參考一略小作例，仿景泰年款，藏北京故宮博物院，錄《故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集·金屬胎琺瑯器》，香港，2002年，圖版51。亦見一略大例，署萬曆年款，P.D. Krolik收藏，曾兩售倫敦蘇富比1962年12月11日，編號107及1970年2月24日，編號26。另見一對，售倫敦蘇富比1972年2月15日，編號5。再見一略小例，兩售紐約蘇富比1976年1月17日，編號356及2007年9月18日，編號136。