Vase - Ceramic - China - Nineteenth Century - Flambé

Refined Chinese porcelain incense burner characterized by a precious flambé glaze with iridescent tones of violet, purple, blue and turquoise, obtained through complex dripping effects and chromatic variations during firing, typical of the best productions of the Qing tradition.

The form is harmonious and well-proportioned, with a globular body, slightly flared rim and stylized horseshoe-shaped side handles, elements that refer to the ritual and decorative tradition of study and altar incense burners.

The base features an unmantled base ring and an enameled interior surface, consistent with a high-quality production.

• Dating
The object is reasonably assigned to a late Qing production, more precisely the 19th century, a period in which the flambé technique, developed in the Yongzheng and Qianlong eras, continued to be revived and reinterpreted with great refinement.

To support the chronological and typological placement, notable comparisons are noted with flambé enamel incense burners of similar form and chromatic rendering, which have appeared at major international auction houses such as:

Christie’s (flambé incense burners attributed to the 18th century),
Bonhams (flambé brûle-parfum Qing, 18th–19th centuries),
Cambi (flambé incense burners attributed to the Qianlong period).

Such comparisons, visible in the attached screenshots, confirm that objects of this glaze type, form and function consistently belong to the high-level Qing productions handled by the international market.

• Condition
There is a vertical crack extending from the rim toward the body, visible both internally and externally. Externally it is only slightly evident; photographs in natural light have been provided to document its visual impact with precision.

The crack appears stable, with no signs of restoration, and does not compromise the structural solidity of the object nor the overall aesthetic impact of the flambé glaze, which presents a notable chromatic and tactile effect.

Normal signs of wear consistent with age are present.

• Shipping
The packing will be carried out with the utmost care and professionalism, using polystyrene bubbles, protective paper and bubble wrap. The object will be placed in a first box, which will in turn be placed inside a second box (double box) in order to ensure maximum protection during transport and to guarantee it arrives intact at its destination.

The photographs include images taken in natural light, in order to reproduce as faithfully as possible the real tones and variations of the flambé glaze.