A Junyao tripod incense burner, Jin Dynasty. Photo Bonhams.

Sturdily potted with a slightly compressed globular body, supported on three cabriole legs rising to a straight neck, the slightly flared flat mouth rim flanked by a pair of upright handles, covered overall in an unctuous lavender-blue glaze. 12.7cm high. Estimate HK$ 150,000 - 200,000 (€14,000 - 19,000). Unsold.

Similar shaped Junyao tripod incense burners are illustrated by J.Ayers, The Baur Collection, vol.1, Geneva, 1968, no.37 and 38. A Junyao tripod incense burner of very similar form, dated to the Song dynasty, is illustrated in Selected Specimens of Chinese Porcelain, Taipei, 1959, pl.20. Several examples of similar tripod incense burners have also been sold through auction, for instance one dated to the Jin/Yuan dynasty was sold at Christie's New York, 19 September 2006, lot 212; and another was sold in our London rooms, 8 November 2012, lot 113.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART. Hong Kong, Admiralty, 26 May 2014 14:00 HKT - http://www.bonhams.com/