Page 19 - Christies Asia Week 2015 Chinese Works of Art

PROPERTY FROM THE FAMILY OF K’UNG HSIANG-HSI (mark)
2006
AN UNUSUAL BRONZE CENSER 17
18TH CENTURY

The round censer is cast with four lion-mask loop handles alternating with the characters
wanshou wujiang (‘a long life without end’), and the base is cast with two characters, Chang’an,
possibly a maker’s mark.
5Ω in. (13.9 cm.) across handles

$5,000-7,000

PROVENANCE:

The K’ung Hsiang-Hsi (Kong Xiangxi, 1881- 1967) Collection, New York, and thence by
descent within the family.

The expression wanshou wujiang conveys the wish for long life and is found on imperial wares in
various materials.

A very similar bronze censer of comparable size, but with the mark Leguanzhai zhu (The Master of the
Studio of Optimism), was sold at China Hanhai, 11 May 2014, lot 2989. See, also, a gilt-bronze tripod
censer, also dated to the 18th century and cast on the exterior with the characters wanshou wujiang,
sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2013, lot 2209.

清十八世紀 銅獸首耳「萬壽無疆」爐
底款：暢菴