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PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN Shang (16th century-c.1050 BC) and Zhou (c.1050-221 BC)
dynasties. By fusing an archaic form with a contemporary
A RARE CLOISONNE ENAMEL CENSER AND design of confronting chilong and a central shou character, all
COVER
surrounded by scrolling clouds, the craftsmen have achieved a
16TH / 17TH CENTURY modern aesthetic.
of archaistic fangding form, the rectangular body decorated No other censer of this size appears to be published, although
to each side with a central shou medallion ! anked by a pair a smaller one of similar shape, but decorated with a taotie
of writhing dragons amid dense cloud scrolls, divided at the design and surmounted with a simpler reticulated cover,
center and edges with notched vertical ! anges, the everted which forms part of an altar set in the Pierre Uldry Collection,
rim set with a pair of upright loop handles similarly decorated, is illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinesisches
the base with a dragon roundel surrounded by undulating lotus Cloisonne. Die Sammlung Pierre Uldry, Zurich, 1985, pl. 267;
scrolls, all supported on four stylized dragon-form legs, the and a further example was sold in our Hong Kong rooms,
tiered openwork cover with alternating gilt-bronze ! oral bands 29th November 1978, lot 442. Another covered censer of
and pendent cloisonné lappets rising to a Buddhist lion # nial, similar shape, but decorated with lotus scrolls, was sold twice
# xed to wood stand (2) in our London rooms, 8th June 1993, lot 145, and again, 12th
Height 20⅛ in., 51.1 cm July 2006, lot 99. See also a smaller Wanli mark and period
fangding, similarly decorated with two confronting red dragons
PROVENANCE and a shou character, but with mask-head legs and lacking
Collection of Dr. Alfred Owre (1870-1935). the ! anges, with a related later cover, was sold in our London
American Art Galleries, New York, 8th February 1917, lot 713. rooms, 24th February 1970, lot 26.
American Private Collection, and thence by descent.
$ 60,000-80,000
This censer is impressive for its large and imposing form,
which re! ects the high level of technical skill exercised by ɤʬ ɤɖ˰ߏ ზߣỻക೗๻ᕐᎲડྪ७˙ཻό✝ᘟ
craftsmen active during the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644).
Ը๕
Vessels of this large size posed craftsmen the challenge of
# ring the enamel evenly over a broad surface area, which Alfred Owre ᔼ͛ 1870 1935 ϗᔛ
has been successfully achieved on the present censer. The American Art Galleriesdॲߒd1917ϋ2˜8˚dᇜ໮713
shape originates from the ritual bronze fangding of the ߕ਷ӷɛϗᔛdϤܝ࢕ૄෂו

The present lot included in the American Art Galleries Catalogue,
8th February 1917, lot 713.
͉ۜͪྡ׵ American Art Galleries שርྡ፽d1917ϋ2˜8˚d
ᇜ໮713

146 SOTHEBY’S