明萬曆丙戌年（1586年） 青花高士圖朝冠耳三足花式爐 《大明萬曆丙戌年恩德堂敬助》款

字：觀音大士座前

The censer has minor manufacturing imperfections, including scattered small glaze gaps (especially to the interior), and an approx. 4-cm glaze flaw and fritting to the rim. The surface has expected wear throughout, including fine scratches to the glaze.
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.

Compare a closely-related censer formerly in the E.T. Chow Collection, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 19th May 1981, lot 422, with a different inscription at the shoulder, indicating that it was commissioned for offerings to Wenchang (Wenchang Dijun zuoqian), and inscribed with an apocryphal Yongle cyclical date at the rim. A smaller similarly painted example, with a six-character Wanli reign mark at the rim, was sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 29th November 1977, lot 42. Compare also an unmarked censer of similar form, painted with mythical beasts, in the Percival David Foundation, now in the British Museum, illustrated in Margaret Medley, Illustrated Catalogue of Underglaze Blue and Copper Red Decorated Porcelains, London, 1976, no. A625.