Beschreibung:

Chinese Bronze Tripod Incense Burner Qing Dynasty, late 18th/early 19th century, of archaistic compressed globular form, narrowing to a waisted neck with slightly flared lip supporting two upright arched handles, raised on three neat, tapering feet, and having a rich patina throughout, with four character seal mark "yi shi liu fang" to the base, the interior with two lines of text reading "Gong bu chen Wu Bangzuo jianzao" "qian zi di er hao" ("made for the Ministry of Works under the supervision of Wu Bangzou"). h. 4", dia. 6" Notes: For a related example, see the Beijing Council International Auction Co. sale of the Wang Shixiang Collection, December 4, 2010, lot no. 17. Wang Shixiang (1914-2009) was an extremely prominent collector of Chinese Art, and researcher of Chinese culture. He became internationally renowned for his work on an eclectic range of topics, and published over forty books, including the hugely influential Classic Chinese Furniture: Ming and Early Qing Dynasties. In 1985 he was recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Culture for his distinguished efforts in the fields of Chinese culture and history, and in 2003 was honored with the Prince Claus Award for his unparalleled research into the arts of China, and his contribution to the preservation of Chinese cultural heritage after the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution. The burning of incense has always been an integral part of Chinese culture, featuring in rituals from the religious to the medicinal, from neolithic times to the present day. The importance and value of incense burners, therefore, has always been high. They have taken many forms over the years, but it could be argued that the height of production came during the Ming and Qing dynastic periods, when newly developed techniques and innovative artistic forms, supported by visionary emperors like Kangxi and Qianlong, saw a creative explosion in the region, producing much of the art synonomous with the country today. This exceptional piece, beautiful in its simplicity, is from this remarkable era, and is made all the more distinguished by the rarity of the seal mark found on its base. The four characters of 'yi shi liu fang', with their poetic connotations, are rarely found on incense burners, setting this piece apart from other aesthetically similar examples of the period. Another notable aspect of this censer is the inscription in the interior. "Gong bu chen Wu Bangzuo jian zao" translates as "Made for the Ministry of Works under the supervision of Wu Bangzuo" and is found on bronze works of similar form from the late Ming and throughout the Qing periods. Typically appearing alongside an apocryphal Xuande reign mark, to find it coupled with a different seal is another highly unusual aspect of the piece shown here, and adds another dimension to its rarity.
In overall good condition. The exterior with a mostly consistent patina throughout, having a few visible blemishes and minor areas of discoloration. Some minor scratches also visible. Each foot with wear to its base commensurate with age, and some wear to the patina of the rim also. The interior with rough texture, and matte finish as is the style, the two lines of text still clearly visible. The seal mark to the base very clear, with two small white patches of polish lodged in raised areas between character strokes. The cover, likely a later addition, in poor condition, with various chips, nibbles, dings and dents. Significant scratches visible. Lacking finial, which may at one time have been reapplied with an adhesive that is still visible in the center. Please refer to images.