† A large and rare Chinese 'Imperial tribute' Canton enamel tripod censer, mark of Qianlong and of the period, of globular form supported on three cylindrical feet, chased on the exterior against the mille fleur ground with gilt bronze scroll, the central panel on one side finely painted with European figures traversing a hilly landscape bearing gifts accompanied by trumpet players and animals, the other side decorated with a lady holding a monkey and accompanied by a gentleman and attendant, flanked with two stylised chilong handles, the base inscribed in blue enamel with a six-character da qing qian long nian zhi mark on white ground, 45.5cm high x 50cm wide, with Japanese iron lidAs a great example of the spread of Western influences to the East, this canton enamel censer is unusual in its size and chased scroll decoration in Baroque style. Compare with a similarly enamelled baluster vase at the Palace Museum, Beijing (accession number 故00116624). The lavish colouration and meticulous floral scroll on this censer are characteristic of painted enamel wares made by Guangzhou artists employed to produce tribute items for the Qing court. Since the technique of enamelling on metal was introduced by Jesuit missionaries residing in Guangzhou around 1684, the craftsmen of Guangzhou proved so proficient in the new craft that by 1716 the Kangxi Emperor is known to have summoned two artisans from there to work in the enamel workshop of the Imperial Household Department in the Palace. By the time of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, the art of enamelling on metal had reached exceptionally high standards, and this art-form continued to receive the Emperor's foremost interest and patronage.清乾隆 罕見大清乾隆年製款巴洛克風格銅胎琺瑯西洋人物圖香爐

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areas of restoration to the painted scenesone handle with enamel restored rim with restoration to the blue enamel and cracks to the area near the handlesome retouching to the mille fleur groundscratches and wear to the gilding especailly on the base