A MASSIVE BRONZE TRIPOD CENSER, 17TH TO 18TH CENTURYChina. Heavily cast, ofpressed form, raised on three conical supports, flanked by a pair of upright loop handles that rise in a graceful curve from the rim. Fine, naturally grown patina overall. The censer shows a finely inlaid bronze plaque of rectangular shape at the base (see detailed images online). Such plaques have a ritual purpose and are frequently found in Buddhist works of art, most notably statues and temple objects, such as incense burners.Provenance: Austrian private collection.Condition: Very good condition with old wear and some casting flaws, few small nicks and dents, and occasional light scratches.Weight: 3,527 gDimensions: Diameter 19.3 cmThe base with an apocryphal six-character markda Qing Xuande nianzhi.Auction resultparison:Type: Closely relatedAuction: Sotheby’s London, 17 May 2019, lot 335Price: GBP 8,125 or approx.EUR 11,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A large tripod bronze censer, 17th/18th centuryExpert remark:pare the closely related form and apocryphal Xuande mark. Note the size (26 cm).十七至十八世紀三足銅爐中國。橋耳流暢，乳足圓碩，爐身豐滿，比例協調，線條爽朗。整體包漿自然。底部有偽“大明宣德年製”六字款。