Decorative

A MASSIVELY HEAVY CAST AND GILT-SPLASHED CHINESE ...

A rare and well-preserved example of 16TH CENTURY from Late Ming Dynasty, 16th Century, noted for its craftsmanship, material quality, and historical relevance.

A Massively Heavy Cast and Gilt-Splashed Chinese Bronze ''Taotie'' Mask Handle Censer Period: Late Ming Dynasty, 16th Century\nMark: Six-character Mark of Wu Bangzuo (Rare)\nThis vessel bears the far rarer six-character ''Gongbu'' (Ministry of Works) Official Seal.\n\nPhysical Specifications\nWeight: 2,431g (2.431kg) --- Exceptional for this form.\nDiameter: 13.5 cm (Rim)\nHeight: 9.0 cm\nDensity Ratio: This vessel exhibits a weight-to-volume ratio in the top 1% of known Ming scholarship bronzes. To pack 2.4kg of metal into a 13.5cm frame indicates incredibly thick, heavy-walled casting---a ''Masterpiece Grade'' hallmark.\n\nCondition Report\nOverall Grade: Very Good / Excellent (relative to age and period).\nSurface Integrity: The bronze retains its original deep chocolate-brown patina. It is remarkably stable with no signs of ''bronze disease'' or active corrosion.\nGilding Preservation: The fire-gilded splashes remain vibrant and thick across the body. The wear is ''ho...nest,'' showing only natural mellowing consistent with 400 years of respectful handling.\nStructural Integrity: The rim, foot-ring, and both Taotie handles are fully intact. There are no signs of historic repairs, lead-fills, or structural cracks.\nHonest Wear: Minor age-appropriate surface abrasions and micro-pitting are present, which serve as essential forensic proof of the casting''s authenticity and its ''Red Heart'' (Zhu Tong) copper core.\n\nMetallurgical & Sculptural Integrity\nAlloy: High-purity copper-rich bronze refined via the ''Twelve-Refinement'' (Shi-er-lian) process.\nHandles: Integrally Cast (not applied) with deep undercutting and aggressive, fierce chiselling. This ''architectural'' depth is a primary indicator of 16th-century production.\nGilding: Authentic Mercury Amalgam (Fire-Gilding), exhibiting the historic ''orange-peel'' texture and molecular fusion with the bronze body.\n\nThe Mark: Wu Bangzuo Historical Context: Refers to the Superintendent of the Ministry of Works. In the 16th century, this mark was cast onto only the finest ''revival'' pieces to denote Imperial-quality craftsmanship.\nExecution: Deeply cast within a recessed square cartouche; the calligraphy is sharp and ''bony,'' with natural mineralized oxidation in the recessed strokes.\n\nSummary of Importance\nThis censer is a Reference-Quality vessel. Its significance lies in its brute physical density and the preservation of its original surface. In the 16th century, bronze was a semi-precious material; a 2.4kg vessel was an extravagant display of wealth. Without a paper trail, its extraordinary weight and condition stand as its primary provenance.\n\nThis exceptional Massively Cast and Gilt-Splashed Bronze ''Taotie'' Mask Censer has the character of a 400-year-old object, it has been spared the damage (dents, broken handles, or over-cleaning) that ruins the value of many Ming bronzes. This ''survivor'' status is exactly what the ''millions'' market looks for.\n\n***''The base bears an exceptionally rare and crisply cast six-character mark of the Superintendent of the Ministry of Works. Unlike the more common long-form inscriptions, this ''Official'' signature is reserved for vessels of superior density and sculptural quality.''***

— Details

Reference

SA1208692

Origin

Late Ming Dynasty, 16th Century

Period

16TH CENTURY

Dimensions

W 13.5cm × H 9.0cm

Weight

2431 g

Rarity

Rare

Provenance

The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London - Green Label 347 ''A Rare and Fresh-to-Market Discovery from a Private Collection.''

Condition

Excellent — see description