A FINE AND WELL CAST PART-GILT BRONZE CENSER

Estimated Value:

4.000 € - 6.000 €

Schätzpreis:

13.000 €

Description:

China, Hu Wenming mark at the base in a gilded reserve, Wanli period
B. 17,5 cm
Incense burner in the shape of an archaic 'gui' standing on a foot. The rounded sides curve inwards towards the rim and taper out again at the double lip. Attached to the sides of the burner are two sturdy loop handles that emanate from dragon heads and end in hanging lugs. The main body is cast in low relief and depicts wildly moving sea and mythical creatures, including dragons and lions. On the base in a fire-gilt reserve six-character mark Hu Wenming.
From an old Austrian private collection, acquired before 1990.
Incense burners of this type were often placed on an altar table during religious ceremonies. Hu Wenming from Yunjian (today's Songjiang, southwest of Shanghai) is considered the most successful artist of the late Ming dynasty. He produced works in both chased copper and cast bronze, and it is said that he was particularly celebrated for his bronze ritual vessels, of which this beautiful, heavily cast incense burner is an excellent example - Gilding partially worn

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