A pale green glazed tripod incense burner. Late 14th / Early 15th Century. photo Bonhams

The straight sides rising from three cabriole feet and moulded around the exterior with the eight trigrams, bagua, amidst foliate scrolls, enclosed by two raised bands, with cloud scrolls below the flattened rim, covered all over with a 'kinuta' glaze, stopping short of the circular aperture at the base to reveal the porcelain body burnt orange during firing, zitan stand. 24.2cm diam.(9.5in) wide. Estimate: HK$150,000 - 250,000, USD 19,000 - 32,000 Unsold

Provenance: S. Marchant and Son, London.

十四世紀末/十五世紀初 青釉凸花八卦紋三足爐

來源：倫敦S. Marchant and Son

It is extremely rare to find a Longquan pale green celadon incense burner of such exquisite colour. Deriving its form from an archaic Han lian container, it is an excellent example of a high quality early Ming dynasty commission. Certainly, the presence of the very fine quality carved zitan stand demonstrates that it was considered a prized object during the Qing dynasty.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Ceramics, Works of Art and Paintings, 28 May 2010. JW Marriott Hotel www.bonhams.com