AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE IMPERIAL LARGE REPOUSSE PARCEL-GI...

AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE IMPERIAL LARGE REPOUSSE PARCEL-GILT SILVER CENSER
YUYONGJIAN ZAO MARK, DATED WANLI RENWU YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 1582 AND OF THE PERIOD
AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE IMPERIAL LARGE REPOUSSE PARCEL-GILT SILVER CENSER YUYONGJIAN ZAO MARK, DATED WANLI RENWU YEAR, CORRESPONDING TO 1582 AND OF THE PERIOD This silver censer, with an interior copper lining, is of circular shape, finely cast and partially gilt with a compressed body supported on a slightly splayed foot with a pair of dragon-head handles modelled around the body of the censer. The exterior is densely covered with a wide band of repoussé designs of multiple scenes depicting various Buddhist allegories. The neck is delicately decorated with a band of lotus blooms borne on undulating scrolls, and the foot with tumultuous waves. The base is incised with a vi s vavajra and is surrounded by the inscription, Da Ming Wanli renwu nian yuyongjian zao yinzhong yibai ershiwu liang liu qian ’ ([It is] made in the cyclical renwu year by the Directorate for Palace Accoutrements. The silver measures one hundred and twenty-five liang plus six qian [4684.82 grams] in total weight). 15 9/16 in. (39.5 cm.) wide, box, 4717g