Page 147 - Later Chinese Bronzes from the Collection of Ulrich-Hk 2014

Later Chinese Bronzes from the Collection of Ulrich
Hausmann
Hong Kong | 08 Oct 2014, 11:45 AM | HK0558

LOT 3400

A LARGE PARCEL-GILT BRONZE 'PEACH' INCENSE BURNER AND COVER
MING DYNASTY

integrally cast in the form of a hollow peach issuing from a gnarled branch bearing smaller
buds and gilt lanceolate leaves, the circular pierced cover cast with further smaller peaches
and gilt leaves born on thin twigs, the base cast with a six-character Xuande mark, the
bronze patinated to a rich dark brown tone
36 cm., 14 1/8 in.
ESTIMATE 800,000-1,200,000 HKD
Lot Sold: 1,000,000 HKD

PROVENANCE

Lempertz, Cologne, 28th/29th November 1986, lot 1060.

CATALOGUE NOTE

Large incense burners cast in the form of fruit appear to have originated in the early Ming dynasty (1368-1644) as
evidenced by an exquisite melon shape cloisonné enamel incense burner attributed to the Xuande period, from the
Qing Court collection and still in Beijing, illustrated in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum.
Metal-bodied Enamel Ware, Hong Kong, 2002, pl. 34. Such fruit-shape vessels are likely to also have been produced
in bronze during the Xuande reign as suggested by a large peach-form censer of the Qing dynasty, but lacking the
cover, and cast with a six-character Xuande reign mark, sold in our London rooms, 4th May 1984, lot 461. See also an