China, 16th-17th century. Of oval form, the low flaring sides supported by four ruyi-shaped feet, cast with two chilong perched on either side forming the handles, each with forelegs grasping the rim, the sinuous body accentuated with a raised spine and fur marks extending to a long tail.

Provenance: Formerly in the collection of the Proctor Estate, New England.
Condition: Good condition with old wear, traces of use, casting flaws. Few light scratches and minuscule nicks. One dragon slightly loose.

Weight: 352.5 g
Dimensions: Width 13.7 cm (across handles)

The base cast with an apocryphal six-character mark da Ming Xuande within a rectanguar reserve.

This censer takes the form of a vessel type known in China as a 'narcissus basin (shuixian pen)'; a name typically referring to its flat-based basin with concave spreading sides. This form first appeared in Chinese ceramics during the Northern Song dynasty.

Literature comparison:
A similar vessel is illustrated in scroll 6 of the imperial Guwan Tu ('Pictures of Ancient Playthings') dated to 1728 in the collection of Sir Percival David currently on loan to the British Museum (accession number PDF X01), which suggests that the scholarly object also found favor at court. A similar low-sided vessel with chilong handles, dated to the 16th-17th century, is illustrated by P. Moss, The Second Bronze Age, Hong Kong, 1991, no. 43.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Galerie Zacke Vienna, 16 October 2021, lot 358
Price: EUR 8,216 or approx. EUR 9,800 adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze 'chilong' censer, Ming dynasty
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and manner of casting with similar chilong handles. Note the size (18 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 14 September 2017, lot 720
Price: USD 5,000 or approx. EUR 5,800 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small bronze censer with chilong handles, Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and manner of casting with similar chilong handles. Note the closely related size (14 cm).