
An Archaistic Bronze Censer
With a pair of animal mask handles
The rounded body with a band of Taotie masks facing central flanges
The neck with animal masks flanked by a pair of Kui Dragons
On a ring punched ground
Base with a four character mark ‘Hu Wenming Zhi’ mark
China L Ming 17thC
Height; 8.5 cm
Weight; 598 gm
Condition; excellent patina, very slight depression in rim
Hu Wenming was a famous metal worker towards the end of the Ming period whose mark was often copied
Provenance; the exhibition ‘The Art of Scent’ Littleton and Hennessy, November 2010. No 19