Lot 590. A gilt-splashed bronze censer, Ming dynasty(1368-1644). Width across handles 9 1/2  in., 24.1 cm. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000 USD. Lot sold 209,000 USD. Photo: Sotheby's.

of compressed globular form flanked by loop handles, the body cast at the front and back with two scalloped reserves of blessings in Arabic, highlighted around the body with irregular gold splashes, the base cast with a pair of dragons and a 'flaming pearl' encircling a four-character apocryphal Xuande seal mark, carved wood cover (2).

Provenance: Acquired prior to 1980.