Page 228 - Nov 29 2017 HK Important Chinese Ceramics

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A FINE SIMULATED-BRONZE CENSER, GUI
QIANLONG IMPRESSED SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)
The censer is potted with a compressed globular body with a pair of two small looped
handles, above a short splayed foot and below a low neck rising to a slightly flared mouth,
covered overall with a glaze of a light chocolate-brown tone and fine splashes of gilt in
imitation of gilt-splashed bronze.
5 Ω in. (14 cm.) across handles, silver cover
HK$800,000-1,200,000 US$110,000-150,000

清乾隆 仿灑金銅釉簋式爐 六字篆書印款
As porcelain was a medium that was relatively easy to control and decorated to high standards
of imperial quality, it was frequently used to simulate a variety of other works of art such as
hardstones, cloisonné-enamels, wood, lacquer, and in this instance bronze. For a discussion on
the virtuosity of the Chinese potters during the Qianlong period in simulating other materials in
porcelain, see S. Jenyns, Later Chinese Porcelain, London, 1971, p. 67.
It is unusual to find porcelain in imitation of gilt-splashed bronzes of the Ming period. Compare
to an imitation-bronze bombé-shaped censer from the Edward T. Chow Collection, Part II, sold
at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 16 December 1980, lot 527.

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