Bronze

MASTER - CAST 19THC. CHINESE BRONZE ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 19TH CENTURY from 19th Century (Qing Dynasty), Circa 1880, noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

Presented is an exceptional "Bridge-Ear" (Qiaoer Ru) tripod bronze censer, dating to the 19th Century (Qing Dynasty). This is a "Heavy-Cast" specimen, weighing a substantial 1,085 grams. Unlike modern thin-walled replicas, the density of this vessel provides a profound "heft" in the hand and a remarkable harmonic bell-tone resonance when struck, confirming the high purity of the copper-gold alloy. The base features a deeply recessed six-character Da Ming Xuande Nian Zhi mark, framed by two high-relief "Flesh and Bone" Imperial-style dragons. Of particular note is the Hand-Stippled "Pearled Ground" (Yu-Wen) background—a labour-intensive, hand-tooled finish reserved for high-status workshop commissions. The sculptural depth of the dragons and the fluid symmetry of the "Bridge" handles represent the peak of Qing Dynasty foundry work. The vessel is enveloped in a natural, aged "Jujube" (Plum-Red) patina with a waxy, translucent luster (Bao Jiang). Natural friction wear to the tripod feet reveals the rich, honey-gold "Noble Metal" beneath the skin.

— Details

Reference

SA1203243

Origin

19th Century (Qing Dynasty), Circa 1880

Period

19TH CENTURY

Dimensions

W 16.5cm × H 10cm

Weight

1085 g

Rarity

High

Provenance

Private Collection, London - Asian Works of Art

Condition

Excellent — see description