Beschreibung:

AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE IMPERIAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAID BLACK LACQUER INCENSE STAND, XIANGJI
AN IMPORTANT AND VERY RARE IMPERIAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL INLAID BLACK LACQUER INCENSE STAND, XIANGJI MING DYNASTY, 15TH/16TH CENTURY The lotus leaf-shaped top with lipped edge framing a geometric pattern of flower heads and medallions in red, black and green lacquer enclosed by a fret border of conforming outline, all reserved on a red and black lacquer diaper-ground, the high waist with six panels pierced with ruyi heads and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, with begonias on a cracked-ice ground, each panel flanked by short bamboo-shaped struts above the gracefully carved reticulated apron, with cloud-collar spandrels above six elegantly curved cabriole legs terminating in upturned leaf-form feet, supported on low pads set in the lobed base of conforming shape, finely inlaid with mother-of-pearl depicting fruiting melon stems within an interlocked fret band, the whole raised on six short feet 37 x 23 x 15 1/2 in. (94 x 58.5 x 39.5 cm.)