A TRANSITIONAL CHINESE BLUE & WHITE TRIPOD CENSER, 17TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A TRANSITIONAL CHINESE BLUE & WHITE TRIPOD CENSER, 17TH CENTURY The censer is of cylindrical form, raised on three short feet and finished with a thick, rounded mouth rim. The pale body is decorated in underglaze blue with continuous landscape scenes arranged in horizontal bands, including riverside architecture, boats, bridges and distant rockwork, all painted in a loose and expressive hand characteristic of transitional-period blue and white wares. The exterior is divided by a raised encircling moulding, giving structure to the compact form and separating the upper and lower registers of decoration. The scenes are rendered with varying tones of cobalt, from soft washes to darker outlines, creating a sense of movement and depth despite the small scale of the vessel. The underside reveals a recessed base with unglazed firing surface and a blue painted mark to the centre. The tripod feet, practical cylindrical body and open mouth indicate its use as a censer, intended for burning incense in a domestic, scholarly or ritual setting. Produced during the 17th century, the piece belongs to the transitional phase between the late Ming and early Qing periods, when Chinese porcelain decoration often displayed freer brushwork and lively narrative landscapes. Its restrained form contrasts effectively with the animated blue-and-white decoration, making it a compact but engaging example of the type. Height: 11cm Diameter: 8cm

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