A SMALL AND RARE BRONZE CENSER, CHINA, 17TH-18TH CENTURY

A SMALL AND RARE BRONZE CENSER, CHINA, 17TH-18TH CENTURY

The cast is quite heavy and the patina is even and naturally grown with an elegant luster overall. The straight-sided censer is raised on four low angular supports and set with two angular loop handles. The base with an apocryphal four-character mark Xuande nianzhi.

Provenance: From a noted European private collection, acquired by the grandfather of the last owner, who was a collector of Chinese porcelain and works of art, which he acquired during the 1920s and 1930s, mostly in the European market. The first part of his substantial collection, including some pieces from the Eumorfopoulos collection, was sold at Christie's Amsterdam, 31 October 2006, lots 473-486.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, casting irregularities, traces of use, light surface scratches, small nicks.

Weight: 342.7 g
Dimensions: Width 10 cm (across handles)

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's Paris, 23 June 2020, lot 168
Price: EUR 87,500 or approx. EUR 99,500 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze rectangular censer, China, 17th-18th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and manner of casting. Note the Qing De Tang mark and the similar length (12 cm).