Cloisonné tripod censer ‘Ruyi and phoenix’, Qing dynasty

A gilded bronze censer decorated with cloisonné enamel. It has a flat, globular body set on three small ruyi-shaped feet, above which stands a short neck and circular mouth, adorned with two beautiful handles in the form of a flattened and curved ruyi sceptre that connect the mouth and body. 

The belly and neck are decorated with a beautiful scroll pattern of leaf scrolls and archaic motifs, with large lotus blossoms in the centre, flanked by stylized phoenixes. Framing the scene is a decorative border of ruyis and lace arranged at shoulder height, and a garland of lotus leaves encircling the foot. At the base is a central gilt-bronze rectangular mark with four characters ‘乾隆年制’ surrounded by beautiful scrolls of coloured leaves. Qian long seal.

Height: 10.5 cm; Mouth diameter: 8.9 cm

Weight: 715 g