AN EXTREMELY RARE BRONZE ‘DRAGON CARP’ CENSER, 18TH CENTURY
China. Modelled with the mythical fish-like dragon leaping vertically upwards, its folded wings and fins partially covering the scaly body, the mouth agape flanked by coiled whiskers above its wide eyes and horns, issuing a double-cord cleverly tied to a ribbon to support the base.

Provenance: Old English collection.
Condition: Excellent condition with few losses, fine patina, old wear and traces of use, all in accordance with the age of this bronze.

Weight: 3115 grams
Dimensions: Height 28 cm

Note that the head of this bronze is removable to better enable the insertion of incense. The smoke will escape dramatically through the mouth of the dragon carp.

Auction result comparison: Compare with another dragon carp censer, height 28.9 cm, executed in Champlevé enamels on bronze, at Christies London, on November 9th, 2010, in Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, lot 260.

十八世紀極罕見的青銅龍魚
中國。神話中的魚形龍成跳躍狀，魚鰭、魚鱗、大眼鬍鬚等刻畫形象生動，從龍嘴中伸出一套長帶，底部成吉祥結，與旁邊的龍尾巧妙地形成兩個支撐。

來源：英國老收藏
品相：品相極好，些微磕損，包漿細膩，舊時磨損以及使用痕跡，一切都符合其年代。

重量： 3115 克
尺寸： 高 28 厘米