10th Apr, 2025 11:00
TWO-DAY AUCTION: Fine Asian Art, Buddhism and Hinduism
79
A HU WENMING PARCEL-GILT BRONZE CENSER, MING DYNASTY
Sold for €6,500
including Buyer's Premium
China, 16th-17th century. Of bombé form, the body is finely chased with a band of archaistic scrollwork resembling a mask, below a band of interlocked foliate scroll and above scrolling vines enclosing the foot, all highlighted by gilding in contrast to the dark diaper patterned ground. The pair of handles has a stylized beast mask at the top and a pendant animal head at the bottom. Cast with a rectangular gilt panel on the base bearing the incised Hu Wenming mark.
Inscriptions: To the base, ‘Yunjian Hu Wenming zhi’ (‘made by Hu Wenming of Yunjian’)
Provenance: From a private collection in France, thence by family descent.
Condition: Good condition with expected minor wear, casting irregularities, a small repair to one handle, rubbing and losses to gilt, small nicks, light scratches. The interior with minor malachite encrustations and little corrosion.
Weight: 517 g
Dimensions: Length 17.2 cm (from handle to handle)
Hu Wenming (1573-1620) is one of the most renowned metalworkers in Chinese history and one of the few whose name and style are discussed in Chinese art-historical writing. Originally from Yunjian (present-day Songjiang near Shanghai), he became one of the most accomplished craftsmen of the late Ming dynasty. Most of the works attributed to Hu Wenming are scholarly objects, such as incense burners and brush pots, characterized by densely worked backgrounds covered with naturalistic and other motifs cast in high relief. His work was highly regarded by the educated elite of the wealthy in the Jiangnan region (lower Yangzi delta).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London, 29 February 2012, lot 160
Estimate: GBP 15,000 or approx. EUR 29,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A parcel-gilt bronze incense burner, gui, 17th century, Yunjian Hu Wenming zhi mark
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of casting, decoration, taotie motif, and size (17 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2014, lot 2283
Price: USD 68,750 or approx. EUR 88,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A parcel-gilt bronze censer, 16th/17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of casting, and decoration, with similar band of scrolls to the neck, wear to gilt, maker's mark, and size (18 cm).
China, 16th-17th century. Of bombé form, the body is finely chased with a band of archaistic scrollwork resembling a mask, below a band of interlocked foliate scroll and above scrolling vines enclosing the foot, all highlighted by gilding in contrast to the dark diaper patterned ground. The pair of handles has a stylized beast mask at the top and a pendant animal head at the bottom. Cast with a rectangular gilt panel on the base bearing the incised Hu Wenming mark.
Inscriptions: To the base, ‘Yunjian Hu Wenming zhi’ (‘made by Hu Wenming of Yunjian’)
Provenance: From a private collection in France, thence by family descent.
Condition: Good condition with expected minor wear, casting irregularities, a small repair to one handle, rubbing and losses to gilt, small nicks, light scratches. The interior with minor malachite encrustations and little corrosion.
Weight: 517 g
Dimensions: Length 17.2 cm (from handle to handle)
Hu Wenming (1573-1620) is one of the most renowned metalworkers in Chinese history and one of the few whose name and style are discussed in Chinese art-historical writing. Originally from Yunjian (present-day Songjiang near Shanghai), he became one of the most accomplished craftsmen of the late Ming dynasty. Most of the works attributed to Hu Wenming are scholarly objects, such as incense burners and brush pots, characterized by densely worked backgrounds covered with naturalistic and other motifs cast in high relief. His work was highly regarded by the educated elite of the wealthy in the Jiangnan region (lower Yangzi delta).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Bonhams London, 29 February 2012, lot 160
Estimate: GBP 15,000 or approx. EUR 29,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A parcel-gilt bronze incense burner, gui, 17th century, Yunjian Hu Wenming zhi mark
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of casting, decoration, taotie motif, and size (17 cm).
Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2014, lot 2283
Price: USD 68,750 or approx. EUR 88,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A parcel-gilt bronze censer, 16th/17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of casting, and decoration, with similar band of scrolls to the neck, wear to gilt, maker's mark, and size (18 cm).
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