清乾隆 銅仿古夔龍紋朝冠耳三足大香爐 《大清乾隆年造》款 字： 一百七十斤

crisply cast, the globular body with a broad band of archaistic kuilong, above pendent stylized cicada motifs, interrupted by three stout legs issuing from grimacing lion masks, the shoulder with a narrow band of ruyi heads above a row of evenly spaced dots and C-shaped motifs, flanked by a pair of upright S-shaped handles decorated with kuilong and keyfret, the neck with a further band of kuilong, carved to the interior with five characters reading yibai qishi jin (one hundred and seventy catty), the galleried mouth similarly decorated, centered with a recessed rectangular cartouche enclosing a six-character mark

In overall good condition. The handles were cast separately and detachable, currently secured by three later metal pins. One handle with a section of broken metal pin lodged in one of the pin holes. Both open slots on the shoulder (where the handles to be inserted) have some losses to the lower edge, but are not visible when the handles are assembled. General wear and scattered dents to the surface, particularly to the edges and extremities, as well as some small areas of oxidation and encrustation, all consistent with age.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

本品爐，器形碩大，穩健端重，朝冠耳線條流暢，剛健有力，怒獸銜足，莊重威嚴，鑄工精良，技藝嫻熟，取源東周青銅鼎，一息尚古之氣猶存，彰顯乾隆一朝之繁榮盛世。

本品銅爐，應為佛教五供之一，用於儀式祭典，肅正莊嚴。此類器應為宮中佛寺而鑄，多為御貢之器，除爐外，全套五供另包括瓶及燭臺各一對。參考一對瓶例，紋飾相類，龍耳活環，上拍於紐約佳士得2008年9月17日，編號601；另見一單瓶例，上拍於倫敦蘇富比2016年11月9日，編號138。亦可參考一相類乾隆爐例，獅足，飾幾何紋，售香港佳士得2015年6月3日，編號3118。

此類乾隆香爐，亦見飾龍紋者。參考兩例，藏太廟及奉先殿，載圖攝於該地，錄萬依，《清代宮廷生活》，紐約，1988年，圖版473及474；另見一例，售紐約佳士得2016年9月16日，編號1227。

參考一全套五供例，飾龍紋，圖載《清代宮廷生活》，香港，1985年，頁299，圖版467，載圖攝於慈寧宮咸若館，為后妃禮佛之所；另見一例，售香港蘇富比2008年4月11日，編號2826；再見一套，出自 Robert H. Clague 收藏，現寶蓄鳳凰城美術館，鳳凰城，錄《China’s Renaissance in Bronze》，鳳凰城美術館，鳳凰城，1994年，編號38。

相類禮器，除飾龍紋外，亦見飾鳳紋例，或為皇太后所供造。見一銅瓶例，出自 Alfred Morrison 收藏，售倫敦佳士得2004年11月9日，編號17；另見一對作例，飾龍鳳紋，為圓明園所製，曾三度售於香港蘇富比，最近一次為2007年10月9日，編號1322。