Tripod perfume burner in jade of archaic shape, the perimeter decorated in bas-relief with masks of taotie, the belly swollen and decorated with two inverted handles, the feet in the shape of a monster's head, the lid carved with scrolls and decorated with three lying goats. The set is enhanced with sapphire stones, rubies and pearls.
This remarkable object was part of the sale of the Prince Kung collection organized by the American Art Galleries in New York in 1913 under lot number 70. Son of Emperor Daoguang, Prince Kung is an important statesman of the Qing dynasty, he was regent of the empire from 1861 to 1865. The items auctioned at this auction were previously housed in the Prince's spacious mansion in Beijing, northwest of the Imperial Palace.
China, 18th century
Height: 14cm; Width from both handles: 16,5cm
We notice a very slight splinter on one of the handles and the lack of some precious stones