AN IMPERIALLY INSCRIBED BRONZE INCENSE TRAY, QING DYNASTY China, 1644-1912. Of square form with indented corners, the interior cast with a poetic inscription and an apocryphal Xuande date, the base with four feet in the form of ruyi heads and in the center two sinuous dragons pursuing a flaming pearl and writhing around a two-character inscription.

Inscriptions: To base, ‘nei yong’ (for internal [Imperial] use).

Provenance: Old private collection, acquired in China between the 1930s and 1940s, thence by descent. Sotheby’s New York, 23 March 2019, lot 1339, sold for USD 3,000. A noted French private collection, acquired from the above.
Condition: Excellent condition with some old wear, minor casting flaws, good naturally grown patina overall.

Weight: 464.9 g
Dimensions: Size 13.8 x 13.7 cm

With a fitted wood base, probably dating from the earlier 20^th century. (2)

Literature comparison: Compare a near-identical incense tray, dated to the 19^th century, in the collection of the British Museum, museum number 1943,0215.4.

Auction result comparison: Compare a related bronze quatrefoil tray, also with an apocryphal Xuande mark, at Sotheby’s Hong Kong in Water, Pine And Stone Retreat Collection, Scholarly Art II on 3 April 2012, lot 141, sold for HKD 125,000.

清代“御製錦堂春詞“銅四方倭角香盤
中國，1644-1912年。此件香盤精銅鑄造，呈四方倭角式造型，寬折沿，緣邊起弦紋一套，淺腹弧壁，平底，如意雲頭形四足，足間雙龍戲珠紋，五爪龍身姿矯健，龍首尾相對，盤旋追逐，中環抱“內用”楷書二字。

來源: 私人收藏，上世紀三十至四十年代購於中國，保存至今。紐約蘇富比2019年3月23日 lot 1339, 售價USD 3,000。法國知名私人收藏, 購於上述收藏。
品相: 狀況極佳，一些磨損，輕微鑄造瑕疵，包漿細膩。

重量: 464.9 克
尺寸: 13.8 x 13.7 厘米

木底座可能爲二十世紀初。(2)

拍賣結果比較: 比較一件相近的宣德款倭角方盤，見香港蘇富比Water, Pine And Stone Retreat Collection, Scholarly Art II 2012年4月3日 lot 141, 售價HKD 125,000。