清乾隆 銅九元三極爐 《大清乾隆年製》款

of archaistic lian form, the cylindrical body supported on three cabriole feet, the exterior centred with a band of three raised ribs, all between two raised bands of triple-ribs encircling the rim and above the feet, the base cast with a six-character reign mark within a recessed panel, the surface with an attractive reddish-brown patina suffused with light brown speckles 

Pat Bedford Antiques，倫敦，1970年代

Overall good condition, with just minute bruises to the rim and tips of the legs. The actual colour of the patina is less red than in the catalogue photo, where it has emerged with too much of an intense crimson-red colour.
"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."

此形制乾隆款銅爐極為罕見，不同於較常見之供瓶，多為日常所用。其表面紅褐色包漿觸感細膩，於私人收藏中實屬上品。北京故宮藏有二相若爐例，皆乾隆六字楷書款簋式爐，見《故宮經典：明永樂宣德文物圖典》，北京，2012年，頁268-269，圖版148-9。另見一方鼎式熏爐，亦藏北京故宮，載《邃古來今──慶祝故宮博物院建院八十周年清宮仿古文物精品展》，澳門博物館，澳門，頁52，圖版1。未了情園收藏中另見一極其類似宣德六字款九元三極銅爐，售於香港蘇富比2014年10月8日，編號3306。

此類奩式器或源自《宣德彝器圖譜》（圖一），此譜為明代關於宣德銅器之著作，後於乾隆時期廣為流傳。然「奩」之雛形當為漢代女子盛放梳妝飾品之圓形器具，見於漢代貴族墓葬出土隨葬品。美國史密森尼學會藏一相若鎏金銅奩，見同樣橫圈飾，屬賽可勒先生捐贈，編號 S1987.341a-b。此爐審美內斂，無環耳及蓋，足部亦不見漢代原型之熊面紋樣。