Lot 69
69
A RARE PAIR OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL 'LUDUAN' CENSERS AND COVERS
A RARE PAIR OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL 'LUDUAN' CENSERS AND COVERS
A RARE PAIR OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL 'LUDUAN' CENSERS AND COVERS
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A RARE PAIR OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL 'LUDUAN' CENSERS AND COVERS
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PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF RAINE, COUNTESS SPENCER
A RARE PAIR OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL 'LUDUAN' CENSERS AND COVERS

QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Details
A RARE PAIR OF CHAMPLEVÉ ENAMEL 'LUDUAN' CENSERS AND COVERS
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)
Each of the censers is cast as a mythical beast, luduan, with its rotund body finely decorated with flower heads amongst tendrils, highlighted in blue and red champlevé enamels against a turquoise ground. The small bell is cast above a stripe of pink enamelled scales to the chest. The hinged head is cast with an open mouth revealing sharpened teeth, bulging eyes inset with cabouchon stones and a snout-like nose between pricked ears and a single horn. Each luduan is standing foursquare on a hexagonal plate chased with scrolling peonies against a ring-punch ground, above a waisted stand with two confronting rows of lappets above foliate feet.
10 in. (25.4 cm.) high

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Lot Essay

Mythical beasts of this form are known as luduan, legendary creatures capable of distinguishing between good and evil. Because of these qualities incense burners of this form were placed beside or in front of the imperial throne to symbolise that the emperor, protected by these animals, was a virtuous and intelligent ruler.
A luduan-form censer of similar size to the present lot also dated to the Qianlong period was sold at Christie's Hong Kong, 28 May 2014, lot 3538.

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