A Gold-Splashed 'Phoenix' Censer. Qing Dynasty, 17th/18th Century

the compressed globular body rising from a short spreading foot to a wide flaring neck, set at the shoulder with a pair of phoenix-head handles, the metal patinated to a dark chocolate tone with irregular gold splashes, the base cast with an apocryphal six-character Xuande mark within a recessed rectangle. 20.2cm., 8in. Estimate 6,000—8,000 GBP

PROVENANCE: From a private European collection. Acquired in London in the 1960s

Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art. 05 Nov 08. London. Photo courtesy Sotheby's. www.sothebys.com