Page 78 - Christie's London Fine Chinese Ceramics Nov. 2019

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A RARE PAIR OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL 'LUDUAN' CENSERS AND COVERS
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Each of the censers is cast as a mythical beast, luduan, with its rotund body fnely decorated with fower
heads amongst tendrils, highlighted in blue and red champlevé enamels against a turquoise ground. The
small bell is cast above a stripe of pink enamelled scales to the chest. The hinged head is cast with an
open mouth revealing sharpened teeth, bulging eyes inset with cabouchon stones and a snout-like nose
between pricked ears and a single horn. Each luduan is standing foursquare on a hexagonal plate chased
with scrolling peonies against a ring-punch ground, above a waisted stand with two confronting rows of
lappets above foliate feet.
10 in. (25.4 cm.) high (2)
£15,000-25,000 US$19,000-31,000
€17,000-28,000
Mythical beasts of this form are known as luduan, legendary creatures capable of distinguishing
between good and evil. Because of these qualities incense burners of this form were placed beside or
in front of the imperial throne to symbolise that the emperor, protected by these animals, was a virtuous
and intelligent ruler.
A luduan-form censer of similar size to the present lot also dated to the Qianlong period was sold at
Christie's Hong Kong, 28 May 2014, lot 3538.

清乾隆 鏨胎琺瑯甪端香爐一對
來源:
英國史賓沙伯爵夫人蕾妮珍藏