A Bronze Handwarmer
Zhang Mingqi mark, Qing Dynasty
The coppery-bronze body and cover with hexafoil lobes and of bombe form, the fitted cover with a delicate pierced design of conjoined flowerheads, a swing handle attached at the widest point of the shoulders, all under an attractive patina, engraved four character Zhang Mingqi zhi mark at base.
5 1/8in (13cm) across handle; 3 3/8in (8.8cm) high; 4 1/8in (10.7cm) deep
Footnotes:
清 銅手爐 《張鳴崎製》款

For another example of similar size and with a comparable flowerhead design to the fitted cover, see Sotheby's, Hong Kong, Later Chinese Bronzes From The Collection Of Ulrich Hausmann, 7 October 2014, lot 3317.

The gem-like quality exhibited by our example demonstrates a particularly masterly quality that echoes the design and craftsmanship of Zhang Mingqi the renowned late Ming master. Such vessels were used primarily to keep the hands warm during the long cold winters and the small size, would have made this example easy to handle and even tuck inside voluminous sleeves.

For other examples of warmers with Zhang Mingqi marks, see Bonhams London, 9 November 2017, lot 76; Sotheby's, Important Chinese Art from the Collection of Bruce Dayton and Ruth Stricker Dayton, 21 September 2021, lot 126, dated to the seventeenth century; Christie's 29 May 2019, lot 2946, dated to the eighteenth century; and Sydney L. Moss Ltd., The Second Bronze Age. Later Chinese Metalwork, Hong Kong, 1991, no.81 and 82 (foot warmers).

For a detailed discussion of hand warmers and the works of Zhang Mingqi and his contemporaries, see an essay by Ulrich Hausmann entitled 'Keeping Warm in a Cold Study: The Warmer' published by Paul Moss (ed.) in his exhibition catalogue The Literati Mode: Chinese Scholar Paintings, Calligraphy and Desk Objects, Sydney L. Moss, London, 1986, pp. 311-315.

PLEASE NOTE: This report describes, but may not be limited to, major condition issues for the lot.
In good condition overall. Some minor bumps to surface but not obtrusive. Some surface wear around the handle attachments which is slightly shaped to echo the lobes of the body. Handle is a later replacement, now attached to a nail-shaped hardware which is secured at the lower side of the body. Exceedingly well made with superb, reticulated work to the cover. The cover fits smoothly to the rim both ways. The warmer fits very well in the hands, and the small size gives this object a gem-like quality.