A PARCEL GILT TRIPOD CENSER WITH MONGOOSES, MING DYNASTY Parcel gilt copper bronze alloy, cast and chased China, late Ming Dynasty, 16th – 17th century This finely executed censer has a gourd shape body resting ion three elegantly curved legs. To either side at the upper rim a mongoose is curiously looking up and their fur is finely incised. The mongoose is an important auspicious animal in Chinese tradition as it is the main attribute of wealth deities such as Jambhala, Kubera or Vaishravana which make the mongoose spit jewels. This has its origin in the Central Asian custom to use mongoose skin as a treasure bag. The mongoose symbolizes generosity, granting of desires and accomplishments. Shape: Figural tripod shapeWeight: 425.5 gramsDimensions: Height 7.3 cm, width 13 cmCondition: very good condition with appealing patina and minor abrasions to gilding Provenance: Austrian private collection Auction result comparison: for another late Ming Dynasty parcel gilt tripod censer of similar size, yet in a more archaistic style, see Bonhams, FINE CHINESE ART, 15 Mai 2014, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET, lot 279. 明代三足狐鼬鍍金香爐鍍金銅青銅合金,鑄造 中國,明代晚期造型:動物,三足重量: 425.5 克尺寸:高 7.3 厘米,寬 13 厘米品相:極好,包漿美麗,有輕微擦傷來源:奧地利私人收藏