AN ARCHAISTIC BRONZE CENSER, GUI, QING DYNASTY

AN ARCHAISTIC BRONZE CENSER, GUI, QING DYNASTY China, 1644-1912. The gently rounded sides supported on a waisted foot and rising to a flared rim, flanked by a pair of kui dragon handles with short pendent tabs, the body cast with two taotie masks separated by narrow flanges against a key-fret ground. Provenance: From a private collection in the United Kingdom, and thence by descent in the family. Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, traces of use, casting flaws, small nicks and minute dents, light scratches. The bronze with a fine, smooth, naturally grown, dark patina. Weight: 650.6 g Dimensions: Width 14.3 cm The recessed base cast with an apocryphal four-character mark Xuande nianzhi. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 25 September 2020, lot 1605 Price: USD 8,125 or approx. EUR 8,900 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An archaistic bronze gui-form censer, 18th-19th century Expert remark: Compare the related form and manner of casting. Note the related size (17.1 cm). Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 27 March 2018, lot 2 Price: USD 4,750 or approx. EUR 5,400 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: An archaistic bronze vessel, gui, Qing dynasty Expert remark: Compare the related form and manner of casting. Note the larger size (29 cm).