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Subject:Brass or bronze with Chinese or Japanese mark
Posted By: Cindy Sat, Sep 09, 2017 IP: 2602:304:cf5f:5970:4

Hi, Could some one tell me what this piece is and please translate the mark? Any idea when this was made?







Subject:Re: Brass or bronze with Chinese or Japanese mark
Posted By: Daniel Wed, Sep 13, 2017

I can only offer the fact this is a 16 character 'Da Ming Xuande' mark (which is upside down in the photo read from the right to left downwards). The Ming Xuande marks are the most common among bronze censers as this. The multi character mark is a bit more rare but exists. Here are a few examples of how these may read to give you an idea of the structure -

'Da Ming Xuande wunian Jiandu Gongbu guanchen Wu Bangzuo zao (Made by Wu Bangzuo, supervisor of the Ministry of Works, in the 5th year of Xuande of the Great Ming)'

'Da Ming Xuande yuannian Wuyingdian yong (Made for use in the Wuying Hall during the first year of the Xuande period of the Ming Dynasty)'

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/an-exceptional-large-parcel-gilt-bronze-tripod-censer-xuande-6095324-details.aspx

I am certain someone who can read this a bit better can explain what the rest translates as. These marks were very popular during the Qing dynasty to indicate the item was of a similar high quality as during the reign of the Ming Emperor Xuande but totally apocryphal. I am not an expert in bronze censers but this piece seems 20th century to me although it is nicely done the mark is quite rough though. Just look up 'Xuande marked censers' on google and I am sure you will come up with a group to compare your piece with. Hope that helps!

Daniel

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Subject:Re: Brass or bronze with Chinese or Japanese mark
Posted By: I. Nagy Sat, Sep 16, 2017

The text reads,
大明宣徳六年工部尚書臣呉邦佐監造
Made under the supervision of the Ninister of Work
Wu Bangzuo in the 6th year of Xuande (1431)

As a supplement to the explanation described above by Daniel.
With regards,
I.Nagy

Subject:Re: Brass or bronze with Chinese or Japanese mark
Posted By: Cindy Sun, Sep 17, 2017

Thank you both so much for translation of the mark and also the info about the censor's possible date and maker.
I did some google search using the xuande censer term as Daniel suggested and although I found a few with similar overall shape I wasn't able to find one with an elaborate design like this censer. But I will keep looking.


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