J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York
MenuPast Exhibition
Chinese Art from the Scholar’s Studio
March 13 - April 11, 2015
26.
A GOLD-SPLASHED BRONZE ‘DRAGONS IN CLOUDS’ CENSER
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
heavily cast with a pair of chilong winding in and out of stylized swirling clouds, with splashes of gilding on the dragons’ backs, the dragons emerging and rising up to grasp the rim on opposite sides, the recessed base with a six character imperial reign mark in kaishu reading Da Ming Xuande nianzhi (Made in the Xuande period of the Great Ming dynasty).
Width over handles 5 7⁄8 inches (15 cm)
Provenance
Collection of Mary and George Bloch, Hong Kong
Shuisongshi Shanfang Collection, Hong Kong
Collection of Dr. and Mrs. Peter Plesch, London
A very similar incense burner, also cast with a Xuande imperial reign mark, is illustrated by Tsang and Moss in Arts from the Scholar’s Studio, Hong Kong, 1986, p. 164, no. 139, where the authors discuss the close resemblance of the design to lacquer wares of the early fifteenth century and suggest that despite the unresolved questions surrounding the correct dating of more common types of Xuande-marked censers following archaic bronze or Song ceramic traditions, there seems no reason to question the authenticity of a Xuande (1426-1435) dating for this particular form and design.
明 《大明宣德年製》款 銅灑金螭龍耳爐 寬 15 厘米
Additional Images (Touch to enlarge)
26.
A GOLD-SPLASHED BRONZE ‘DRAGONS IN CLOUDS’ CENSER
Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
Width over handles 5 7⁄8 inches (15 cm)