Page 87 - Bonhams May 16, 2019 London Asian Art

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A RARE BLUE AND WHITE ‘THREE-LEGGED
TOAD’ INCENSE BURNER AND COVER
Late Ming Dynasty
Moulded in the form of a three-legged toad standing
above crashing waves, the pierced cover forming
the top half and head of the animal, all decorated
in reverse technique with prunus flower heads on a
speckled-blue ground, the lower section with three
feet, the interior and recessed base glazed, the rims
unglazed, Japanese wood box.
15cm (5 8/9in) long. (3).

£15,000 - 20,000
CNY130,000 - 180,000

明晚期 青花三足金蟾香爐

The present incense burner is among the so-
called Ko-sometsuke porcelain wares which
were produced by the potters of Jingdezhen for
the Japanese market between the 1620’s and
about 1645. This period coincided with the rise
in popularity of the tea ceremony in Japan, which
required a number of different utensils, thus
prompting the flourishing of Chinese porcelain trade
in Japan at this time. Ko-sometsuke wares were
manufactured in a great variety of asymmetrical
and often humorous forms, and were deliberately 86
potted in a rough manner bearing some flaws and
imperfections.

The auspicious form, relating to Liu Hai’s three-
legged toad, of the present incense burner can
be compared with the features of a small blue and
white incense container and cover, kogo, 1621-
1627, moulded in the form of a three-legged toad,
illustrated by Masahoko Kawwahara, Ko-sometsuke
Monochrome Section, Kyoto, 1977, p.129, no.108.

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A RARE GILT-BRONZE BLUE AND WHITE
‘SQUIRREL’ KENDI
Wanli, with later European mounts
The top of the lobed bulbous body finely moulded
with a large squirrel with bushy tail and detailed
fur, painted around the exterior in vibrant tones of
cobalt-blue with panels of flowers, grapes, a horse
and a scroll, the shoulders with a key-fret pattern,
the European mounts finely incised with a rose.
19.5cm (7 5/8in) high.

£8,000 - 12,000
CNY70,000 - 110,000

明萬曆 青花松鼠式軍持
後鑲歐洲鎏金框

Kendi in the form of an elephant or frog are quite
common. However, kendi moulded with bulls,
cows and squirrels are very rare.

Compare with a similar blue and white kendi with
a squirrel, Wanli, which was sold at Christie’s
Amsterdam, 7-8 May 2002, lot 78.
87

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE CHINESE ART | 85