Page 188 - 2020 Sept Important Chinese Art Sotheby's NYC Asia Week

9/2/2020 Important Chinese Art | Sotheby's

without the stand, sold in our London rooms, 13th July 2005, lot 192. See also a variation of this type, cast with a cartouche on
either side enclosing Arabic inscription, such as one with its matching stand, sold in our London rooms, 14th October 1975, lot
239.

The origin of gilt-splashed decoration remains a source of speculation. Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss in Arts from the Scholar's
Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 184, mention that the popularity of this surface decoration was possibly fostered by Xuande bronzes
of the Ming dynasty where the appearance of the gilt-splashes was caused by the uneven surface patination of the vessel, hence
the apocryphal Xuande mark on the base of the censer. Robert Mowry in his work on the Phoenix Art Museum exhibition China's
Renaissance in Bronze, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, 1993, p. 169, mentions the appearance of fine paper enlivened with flecks of
gold and silver from the early 15th century and suggests that this 'might have also played a role in the creation of such abstract
decoration, either directly inspiring those who designed the bronzes or indirectly molding taste to appreciate objects sprinkled
with gold and silver.'

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