QIANLONG MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-1795)
This piece is made in two parts, the tray and the incense holder itself. The tray has a wide-flared mouth, a shallow, rounded body, and a flat base; three short feet are attached to the rim of the base. A gilt copper alloy incense holder in the shape of a gourd is positioned in the center of the tray. The rim, the base, and the three short feet of the incense holder are all decorated with copper gilt. The center, exterior and base of the incense holder have been given a coat of skyblue enamel, on which a pattern of flowers has been created in copper gilt. This small but perfectly formed piece is exquisitely made. The base bears a “seal inscription†in copper gilt hollow relief carving reading “Made in the Qianlong Period†in Clerical Script calligraphy. D: 4.6 cm