Lot 1324. A gold-splashed bronze bombé tripod censer and stand, 17th-18th century; 9¾ in. (24.8 cm.) across handles. Estimate USD 8,000 - USD 12,000. Price realised USD 104,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2010.

The censer with compressed body raised on three conical supports, the handles formed by dragons pulling themselves up onto the rim, the base cast with an apocryphal Xuande mark; the stand raised on three ruyi supports and cast as overlapping petals radiating from the center.

Note: Compare the censer with original stand included in the O.C.S exhibition, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Hong Kong 1986, no. 123; and another from an American private collection, sold in these rooms, 21 September 1995, lot 281.

It is unusual to find a censer in this style with such strongly cast dragon handles. Compare, also, the late Ming oval gold-spalshed bronze censer with chilong handles sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 1 May 2000, lot 764. 

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, 26 March 2010, New York, Rockefeller Plaza