No. 106287018

No longer available
清朝、19世紀の銅製三脚香炉。銘は「玉堂清玩」。 - Bronze - China - Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Bidding closed
6 h ago

清朝、19世紀の銅製三脚香炉。銘は「玉堂清玩」。 - Bronze - China - Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

This is a traditional Chinese cast-bronze tripod censer, with a full, rounded body supported on three short feet and flanked by two upright rectangular handles. The vessel is substantially and heavily cast, with a dark, subtly mottled bronze patina. Its overall form is dignified, restrained, and classically proportioned. Censers of this type were traditionally used in China for the burning of incense and were commonly placed in ancestral halls, Buddhist shrines, scholars’ studios, or on domestic altars. The form itself draws upon the long tradition of ancient Chinese bronze ritual vessels. Condition: The censer is in good overall condition and remains structurally complete. The surface shows natural wear, minor abrasions, variations in color, patination, and other traces of age and historical use consistent with an old bronze object. These signs of age are considered normal for antique bronze ware and do not affect the overall structural integrity, completeness, or decorative appearance of the piece. The underside bears a four-character seal-script mark reading “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩). “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) is a well-known hall mark associated with traditional Chinese bronze censers. According to a long-standing tradition in the Chinese antiques and collecting world, the “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) mark has been associated with Yan Shifan (严世蕃), son of the powerful Ming-dynasty official Yan Song (严嵩) during the Jiajing reign. Yan Shifan (严世蕃), who was also known by his sobriquet Donglou (东楼), and his father were historically renowned for assembling extensive collections of paintings, calligraphy, antiquities, and fine bronze objects. According to later antiquarian literature and traditional collecting accounts, Yan Shifan (严世蕃) is said to have owned a group of exceptionally well-made bronze censers, some of which were associated with the “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) mark. Consequently, censers bearing this celebrated mark later became known among collectors as “Yutang Lu” (玉堂炉), or in some contexts “Yan Shi Lu” (严氏炉). However, because “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) subsequently became a highly celebrated mark on Chinese bronze censers, the mark was also adopted, continued, and imitated from the late Ming through the Qing dynasty and into later periods. In my personal assessment, the present example is a Qing-dynasty bronze censer dating to the 19th century, with its dating potentially extending back to the mid-Qing period at the earliest. A prudent description would therefore be: Qing Dynasty, 19th Century Bronze Censer with “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) Mark. Provenance: Private collection of the present owner. Dimensions: Height: approximately 12.6 cm Diameter: approximately 17.5 cm Weight: Approximately 3.4–3.8 kg (7.5–8.4 lbs). As an appropriate scale is not currently available, this weight is an estimate for reference only. The actual weight is subject to physical measurement. Provenance and Lawful Acquisition Statement: This piece forms part of my private collection and was acquired by me through normal and lawful collecting and commercial channels. To the best of my knowledge, and with respect to the circumstances under which I acquired the object, it is not associated with theft, illegal excavation, tomb robbery, smuggling, or any other unlawful source, nor am I aware of any dispute concerning its ownership. Shipping Method: The item will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail. Due to tariffs and complicated customs clearance requirements in China, this item will not be shipped to mainland China.

No. 106287018

No longer available
清朝、19世紀の銅製三脚香炉。銘は「玉堂清玩」。 - Bronze - China - Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

清朝、19世紀の銅製三脚香炉。銘は「玉堂清玩」。 - Bronze - China - Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)

This is a traditional Chinese cast-bronze tripod censer, with a full, rounded body supported on three short feet and flanked by two upright rectangular handles. The vessel is substantially and heavily cast, with a dark, subtly mottled bronze patina. Its overall form is dignified, restrained, and classically proportioned.

Censers of this type were traditionally used in China for the burning of incense and were commonly placed in ancestral halls, Buddhist shrines, scholars’ studios, or on domestic altars. The form itself draws upon the long tradition of ancient Chinese bronze ritual vessels.

Condition:
The censer is in good overall condition and remains structurally complete. The surface shows natural wear, minor abrasions, variations in color, patination, and other traces of age and historical use consistent with an old bronze object. These signs of age are considered normal for antique bronze ware and do not affect the overall structural integrity, completeness, or decorative appearance of the piece.

The underside bears a four-character seal-script mark reading “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩).

“Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) is a well-known hall mark associated with traditional Chinese bronze censers. According to a long-standing tradition in the Chinese antiques and collecting world, the “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) mark has been associated with Yan Shifan (严世蕃), son of the powerful Ming-dynasty official Yan Song (严嵩) during the Jiajing reign. Yan Shifan (严世蕃), who was also known by his sobriquet Donglou (东楼), and his father were historically renowned for assembling extensive collections of paintings, calligraphy, antiquities, and fine bronze objects.

According to later antiquarian literature and traditional collecting accounts, Yan Shifan (严世蕃) is said to have owned a group of exceptionally well-made bronze censers, some of which were associated with the “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) mark. Consequently, censers bearing this celebrated mark later became known among collectors as “Yutang Lu” (玉堂炉), or in some contexts “Yan Shi Lu” (严氏炉).

However, because “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) subsequently became a highly celebrated mark on Chinese bronze censers, the mark was also adopted, continued, and imitated from the late Ming through the Qing dynasty and into later periods.

In my personal assessment, the present example is a Qing-dynasty bronze censer dating to the 19th century, with its dating potentially extending back to the mid-Qing period at the earliest. A prudent description would therefore be:

Qing Dynasty, 19th Century Bronze Censer with “Yutang Qingwan” (玉堂清玩) Mark.

Provenance:
Private collection of the present owner.

Dimensions:
Height: approximately 12.6 cm
Diameter: approximately 17.5 cm

Weight:
Approximately 3.4–3.8 kg (7.5–8.4 lbs). As an appropriate scale is not currently available, this weight is an estimate for reference only. The actual weight is subject to physical measurement.

Provenance and Lawful Acquisition Statement:
This piece forms part of my private collection and was acquired by me through normal and lawful collecting and commercial channels. To the best of my knowledge, and with respect to the circumstances under which I acquired the object, it is not associated with theft, illegal excavation, tomb robbery, smuggling, or any other unlawful source, nor am I aware of any dispute concerning its ownership.

Shipping Method:
The item will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail.
Due to tariffs and complicated customs clearance requirements in China, this item will not be shipped to mainland China.

Bidding closed
Sarah Le Helley
Expert
Estimate € 330 - € 380

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