A 'QILIN AND DIGNITARY' BRONZE CENSER, QING China, 1644-1912. The vessel cast in the form of a long-legged qilin with a finely incised flaming tail and mane, open mouth, and horn, giving this mythical animal its typical appearance between a deer and a dragon. The cover cast in the form of a dignitary rider wearing a hat and holding a ruyi scepter. Provenance: French private estate. Condition: Excellent condition with old wear and casting flaws, small nicks to the dignitary's hat, fine remains of red and gold lacquer all around. Weight: 1,504 g Dimensions: Height 21 cm Auction result comparison: Compare with a similar censer depicting Shoulao seated on a recumbent qilin sold by Sotheby's Hong Kong in Chinese Art on 2 December 2016, lot 769, for HKD $87,500. 麒麟仙人熏爐，清代 中國，1644-1912。長腿麒麟，尾翼和鬃毛成火焰狀，嘴張開和火焰形雙角，使這只神話中的動物像鹿又像龍。 爐蓋鑄造成道教仙人模樣，頭戴道帽，手持如意。 來源：法國私人遺產 品相：品相極好，老磨損和鑄造缺陷，仙人帽子上有小刻痕，整體都可見紅金彩繪顔料餘留。 重量：1,504 克 尺寸：高21 厘米