A HU WENMING PARCEL-GILT TRIPOD CENSER, 17TH/18TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A HU WENMING PARCEL-GILT TRIPOD CENSER, 17TH/18TH CENTURY This finely cast bronze censer is attributed to the celebrated metalworker Hu Wenming, whose works were highly esteemed during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Hu Wenming, active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, became synonymous with refined scholar’s objects distinguished by elegant proportions, restrained ornamentation, and superb casting quality. His name came to represent a standard of excellence in bronze incense wares, and pieces bearing his association continued to be admired and produced into the early Qing period. The censer is of compressed globular form, supported on three solid cylindrical legs that provide both structural stability and a pleasing architectural balance. The body is encircled by shaped cartouches in relief, each containing finely worked motifs set against a textured ground. These panels are framed by engraved foliate scrollwork that flows harmoniously around the vessel, demonstrating careful attention to composition and surface rhythm. Small mask-form handles project from either side, lending a subtle archaistic reference to earlier bronze traditions. The shoulder is accentuated by a ribbed band beneath a slightly flared neck, above which sits a domed, reticulated cover. The cover is pierced with radiating apertures, allowing aromatic smoke to escape during use, and is decorated with engraved leaf-like motifs. It is surmounted by a finial modelled as a mythical beast, a symbolic guardian figure often associated with protection and auspiciousness. The interplay between the openwork dome and the sculptural finial creates a dynamic silhouette when viewed in profile. The parcel-gilt surface, now attractively worn, reveals the warm golden tones of the gilding contrasting with the darker, time-softened bronze patina beneath. This combination of gilded highlights and aged metal lends depth and character, reflecting both its utilitarian function and its status as a refined object intended for the scholar’s studio or altar setting. Incense burners of this type were integral to literati culture, used in contemplative settings for meditation, poetry composition, and scholarly gatherings. The overall condition shows consistent wear commensurate with age, enhancing the authenticity and tactile presence of the piece. Height: 14.5cm Weight: 532g Provenance: Gentleman Private Collection

图片