AN IMPERIAL CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ARCHAISTIC TRIPOD CENSER AND COVERQIANLONG CAST FOUR-CHARACTER MARK WITHIN A DOUBLE SQUARE AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)The vessel is modelled after an archaic bronze, yen, of Zhou dynasty. The top section is of a deep bowl and is decorated on the exterior with a row of downward lappets, each enclosing a mythical beast mask, all below four decorative bands. The rim is surmounted with a pair of rope-twist bail handles, and the similarly decorated cover is further surmounted by a finial of a five-clawed dragon amidst clouds. The lower section of the vessel has three taotie masks, each is centered at the top of each leg, and the legs are further carved with leafy scroll against a dotting ground.9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm.) high