A rare cloisonné enamel tripod censer - 16th Century

Of quadrilobed form rising to a short waisted gilt neck and flared rim, applied with two well cast gilt chicken-head handles, the chickens with a lingzhi-shaped crest, raised on three gilt hare-mask supports, each head with a ruyi-shaped nose tucked between the stretched forelegs, brightly enamelled with a continuous lotus scroll reserved on a turquoise ground, with a flat gilt underside. 6.8cm (2¾in) high. Estimate: £20,000 - 25,000

Footnote: The form of the present censer is extremely rare in cloisonné enamel. The chicken, as represented in the handles, is a symbol for high rank, as its crown (jiguan) is a pun for official. The lobed body may represent a gourd or a melon (gua) and symbolises ceaseless generations of descendants due to the many seeds it contains. The hare (tu), represented in the censer legs, is a pun for head (tou). It is also symbolic of progenity. The combination of these elements may therefore suggest blessings for descendants who will succeed in becoming high ranking officials.

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Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, 12 May 2008. New Bond Street