A rare Chinese blue and white 'Flower and Wave' censer and cover for the Islamic market
Xuande six-character mark, probably Ming Dynasty
Of globe form, raised on a spreading foot, the cover surmounted with a garlic-head finial, pierced with six trefoil vents, mirrored by six further larger vents at the shoulder above a broad band of complex foliate piercing, decorated with flower sprays and bands of flowers and foliage between ruyi-head borders in typical 'heaped and piled' cobalt, the base with flowers and scrolling foliage above a lappet border, the foot with later silver replacement, decorated with further flower and leaf band above a broad border of waves.

37cm high

PROVENANCE:
Private UK collection, the property of a gentleman.

FOOTNOTE:
This piece clearly follows Islamic market influences and tastes, both in the shape and decoration. The precedent for pierced domed incense burners in the region now occupied by Iran, Syria, Iraq and Turkey, can be found in bronze and brass examples from the 10th to 14th Centuries. Persian metallurgy was highly advanced by this time with layering of contrasting metals for decorative effect as well as elaborate surface embossing, chasing, incising and piercing. A typical period example can be found in the Victoria & Albert Museum collection, London, ref.M.1:2-2002, made in Iran circa 1400. Here we see the surface chased with dense flowers and foliage following the pierced design, as with the present lot. The footed domed form of the present lot seems also to have influenced later incense burners, or mamluk, of the Turkish Ottoman empire from the middle Ming period to the 19th Century. The shape would have been difficult to fire successfully with the weight of the vessel base resting on its stem, while the cover also weakened by the intricate piercing would have been prone to warping and fracturing in the intense heat. Consequently it is likely not many were made, hence its comparative rarity. Originally with a porcelain foot, decorated with flowers and a broad border of waves, this has been replaced with embossed silver, carefully imitating the original pattern, presumed to have been carried out in China before finding its way to the West.

For comparison, a near identical censer and cover was sold at Poly Auction, Beijing, 5 December 2012, lot 5566.

Condition Report

The finial section of the cover has been broken cleanly and re-attached with metal staples. The base has a significant crack to the rim with further fine hairlines visible within. The original foot is presumed missing and replaced with a silver version with replicated decoration. There are fine surface scratches inside and out in places, consistent with age and use. Please refer to images.

Bidding indicates acceptance of the condition of the lot.  All lots are sold subject to general wear and tear commensurate with age and handling over time and only obvious faults will be mentioned after a visual inspection. If you have particular specialist questions on any lot, please state these before bidding since we cannot and will not provide a forensic examination of any lot but only a general condition report as a guide only. All condition reports given by Halls Holdings Ltd's representatives or agents are statements of opinion and not fact. If you require any further information about any lots in this auction or about bidding please do not hesitate to contact us again.