Provenance
S. Marchant & Son, London.
The Drs. A. M. Sengers Collection, collection no. 157, acquired from the above in May 1983.
S. Marchant & Son, London, with their label to the base.
The Baert-Devos collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above on 17 October 2001 and accompanied by a copy of their original invoice. (see added scans)
Exhibited & illustrated:
S. Marchant & Son, London, included in their November 2001 exhibition of 'Ming Blue and White Porcelain. The Drs. A. M. Sengers Collection' and illustrated in the accompanying catalogue, pp. 48-49, no. 34.
Description
Finely modelled in the form of a luduan, the mythical single-horned beast associated with wisdom, virtue and auspicious rule. The robustly potted creature stands foursquare on flame-form feet, its animated face rendered with bulging eyes, pronounced brows, whiskers and an open mouth beneath a removable cover. The body is painted in underglaze blue with stylised scrolls and ruyi-head motifs, while a saddle cloth drapes across the back. Incense burners of this type belong to a rare group of Wanli-period zoomorphic wares inspired by earlier bronze prototypes.
Reference:
Christie's New York, 22-23 September 2022, lot 977 for a comparable example. (sold USD 22.680) (link)
Lot 11
Wanli/Tianqi
H.: 15,5 cm
Estimation
€ 10.000,00 – € 20.000,00
Provenance
S. Marchant & Son, London.
The Drs. A. M. Sengers Collection, collection no. 157, acquired from the above in May 1983.
S. Marchant & Son, London, with their label to the base.
The Baert-Devos collection, Belgium. Acquired from the above on 17 October 2001 and accompanied by a copy of their original invoice. (see added scans)
Exhibited & illustrated:
S. Marchant & Son, London, included in their November 2001 exhibition of 'Ming Blue and White Porcelain. The Drs. A. M. Sengers Collection' and illustrated in the accompanying catalogue, pp. 48-49, no. 34.