AN INTRICATELY CARVED ‘DRAGON, QILIN AND BAT - RỒNG, KỲ LÂN AND CON DƠI’ WOODEN INCENSE BURNER STAND OR ALTAR TABLE VIETNAM, LATE NGUYEN DYNASTY, CIRCA 1880-1900 Of square shape, resting on four tubular legs. The apron is openworked on each side with open-worked confronted qilin and centered by a bat together with a coin. The legs are unusually and very finely carved on two layers with coiled dragons. H: 85 cm - Side (the top): 56,5 cm MỘT BÀN THỜ HOẶC ĐẾ LƯ HƯƠNG BẰNG GỖ CHẠM KHẮC TINH XẢO HỌA TIẾT “DRAGON, QILIN AND BAT - RỒNG, KỲ LÂN VÀ CON DƠI” VIỆT NAM, CUỐI TRIỀU NHÀ NGUYỄN, VÀO KHOẢNG 1880-1900 Note: The iconography of this wooden incense burner stand is rich. Amongst the numerous elements, one can point out the combination of a bat (fu 蝠) with a coin (zai 在). Such a design is referred to as an eye coin (yanqian, 眼钱) and creates a visual pun since saying there is a ‘bat on the coin’ (fu zai yan qian) sounds exactly like saying ‘happiness is before your eyes’ (fu zai yan qian 福在眼前). NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.