A MASSIVE BRONZE ‘MANDARIN DUCK’ CENSER AND COVER, MING DYNASTY
China, 1368-1644. Finely worked, the duck with the head turned to the right, lotus stems in its mouth bearing blossoms and leaves cast in high relief on its body, the legs with webbed feet tucked up under the body, incised with richly detailed plumage, wings, and tail. The open worked cover on the back of the duck in the form of lotus pods, leaves, and flowers borne on twisting stems. The back of the tail cut with a cash-patterned opening.


Provenance:
From a private collection in the Cotswolds, United Kingdom.

Condition:
Good condition with expected ancient wear and some casting flaws, a few tiny losses, small nicks and dents, light scratches. The bronze is covered overall in a rich, naturally grown, dark patina.

Weight: 3,256 g
Dimensions: Length 22.8 cm


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 26 November 2014, lot 2946
Price: HKD 375,000 or approx.
EUR 54,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze mandarin duck-form censer, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related subject, manner of casting, and modeling with similar ducks also holding lotus stems in their beaks. Note that the censer is cast as a pair of ducks and the size (19.2 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London, 7 November 2013, lot 241
Estimate: GBP 10,000 or approx.
EUR 18,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A pair of bronze ‘mandarin duck’ incense burners and covers, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, posture, and patina. Note the size (28 cm) and that the lot comprises a pair.




明代鴛鴦銅蓋爐

中國，1368-1644 年。 做工精細，鴛鴦頭向右轉，嘴含蓮莖，身上高浮雕花葉，蹼足收於身下，細節生動，栩栩如生。鴛鴦背上的蓋子鏤空，有蓮蓬、蓮葉和蓮花的形狀。 尾部背面有鏤空錢幣狀開口。


來源：
英國科茨沃爾德私人收藏。

品相：
狀況良好，有磨損和一些鑄造缺陷。小缺損和凹痕，輕微的劃痕。自然深色包漿。

重量：3,256 克
尺寸：長 22.8 厘米


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：香港佳士得，2014年11月26日，lot 2946
價格：HKD 375,000 （相當於今日
EUR 54,500
）
描述：明銅鴛鴦式香爐
專家評論：比較相似的鴨嘴銜蓮莖，主題、鑄造風格、造型。請注意此爐為一對鴨子，尺寸為（19.2厘米）。


拍賣比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：倫敦邦翰斯，2013年11月7日，lot 241
估價：GBP 10,000（相當今日
EUR 18,000
）
描述：明銅鴛鴦式蓋爐一對
專家註釋：比較非常相近的外形、姿勢和包漿。請注意尺寸 (28 厘米)，此為一對。