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Lot 265
A WELL-CAST BRONZE LUDUAN CENSER
Estimated Value:
3.000 € - 5.000 €
Result:
9.065 € incl. Premium and VAT
Description:
China, 17th c.H. 37,5 cm
Cast in the form of a luduan depicted standing on a snake-like mythical creature, the serpentine figure forming the base of the vessel and rendered gripped by the beast's claws, the chest of the hollow body cast with at the sides with flaming wisps and stylised ruyi heads flanking an tail with tufts of hair, the cover of the vessel rendered in the form of a single-horned head accentuated with curls, ist mouth portrayed wide open and revealing its fangs to enable egress.
Eggert Collection, Berlin, according to records acquired in 1991 at Galerie Ruth Schmidt in Berlin
Inspired by gilt-bronze incense burners from the Xuande period, the present piece is striking for its detailed rendering of the mythical beast, cast with a ferocious expression, a finely combed mane and powerful horned claws. Incense burners of this type were modelled to allow the smoke of the burning incense to emerge from the beast's mouth, giving the impression of a living creature breathing smoke. As Chuimei Ho and Bennet Bronson expound in their discussion of a pair of Qianlong cloisonné enamel examples from the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition Splendors of China's Forbidden City. The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong, The Field Museum, Chicago, 2004, these burners were traditionally valued at the Imperial Court, as with their open mouths and smoke billowing forth, they were a reminder to the emperor that he should always be receptive to honest advice (see p. 37) - Minor traces of age, few small repairs
