A BRONZE ‘MYTHICAL BEASTS’ CENSER, HU WENMING, CHINA, 16TH-17TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A BRONZE ‘MYTHICAL BEASTS’ CENSER, HU WENMING, CHINA, 16TH-17TH CENTURY The censer is securely mounted on a reticulated bronze stand with five ruyi-shaped feet. It is also fitted with a cover featuring a Buddhist lion handle and a band of ruyi heads and scrollwork. Both the stand and cover are later additions, crafted from a brass alloy, and dating to the late Qing Dynasty. (3) Of archaistic gui form, the compressed body rests on a flared circular foot, the exterior boldly chased in relief with a dynamic scene: each side features a winged dragon soaring between a qilin and a leonine mythical beast, likely a xiezhai, all set against a finely rendered diaper-pattern ground. The upper band presents a striking frieze of two confronting bird-headed kui-type dragons enclosing a highly stylized taotie mask composed of ruyi motifs, a design echoed along the outer foot rim. The vessel is flanked by two zoomorphic handles emerging from dragon heads. Dimensions: Length 17.1 cm (handle to handle) Hu Wenming is one of the most renowned metalworkers in Chinese history and one of the few whose name and style are discussed in Chinese art-historical writing. Most of the works attributed to Hu Wenming are scholarly objects, such as incense burners and brush pots, by densely worked backgrounds covered with naturalistic and other motifs cast in high relief. Auction result comparison: Type: Near identical Auction: Zacke, Vienna, 25 April 2020, lot 14 Price: EUR 27,808 or approx. EUR 35,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the near-identical form, decoration, manner of casting, and size (17.5 cm).

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