A Chinese bronze censer with two molded Chilong along the exterior dating from the 19th century. The round censer has two beast head handles holding engaged rings. The bottom has a 6-character mark. Dimensions are: 3 inches tall X 6 3/4 inches long X 6 1/4 inches wide, 7.6 cm X 17.1 cm X 15.9 cm. Weight: 1432 grams. All measurements are approximate. Condition: Age appropriate wear. A reminder that all lots are sold as-is. We have sought to record the changes in the condition of this piece after its initial manufacture as diligently as possible; however, as stated in our terms, condition reports are statements of opinion and not representations or warranties. Oakridge Auction Gallery bears no responsibility for any error or omission. Provenance: From a private Boston, Massachusetts collection. Notes: This stately bronze censer is robust and strong. It has a more exaggerated form of a rather typical shape: its round mouth connects to a convex lower body that sharply tapers to a single round foot. Its body swells outwards dramatically, ballooning into a shape which is stocky, solid, and overall robustly formed. On the one hand, this almost seems contradictory, the idea that a metal as strong and sturdy as bronze takes on a shape like a weightless balloon. At the same time, it is this same swollen shape which makes the metal appear even weightier. Along the widest point of the censer's exaggerated shape marches a pair of stately Chilong. They circle the censer continuously, slowly, rendered in high relief. The depth of their form and the breadth of the censer mutually enhance one another; the Chilong's high carving raises the surface of the censer at its widest point, making it appear even larger than it is, while the wideness of the censer also helps the Chilong's carving appear deeper and more masterful. Similarly, rather than contrasting the roundness of the censer, the pair of elephant head handles protruding from the body blend into its form, floating like clouds around the Chilong's heads. Large metal rings dangle from their trunks, emphasizing once more the rotundity of the censer. Each aspect of this bronze censer interacts with the others, elevating the piece into a single, harmonious whole. This makes it robust and strong in shape and in construction, but also in concept.此爐圓口鼓腹，整體呈褐色，胎體較厚，外壁為雲龍紋，龍長身大眼，大頭細鱗，形象威武，雙獸耳口銜活環，底為「大明宣德年制」款，通體采用鏨刻、焊接等技法制成，包漿較厚，制作精細，銅質細膩致密，色澤古樸含蓄，仿古造型獨特，實為收藏之佳品。A similar censer was recently sold by Sotheby's New York on September 23, 2020, as lot 626. High resolution photos can be found here.類似器型可參閱蘇富比紐約2020年09月拍賣，編號0626。