A PALACE SIZE THREE-PIECE (3) CLOISONNÉ ‘LOTUS’ ALTAR GARNITURE, ELEMENTS OF A WUGONG CHINA, LATE QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY It consists of: - one three-legged incense burner with a compressed globular body and a trumpet neck flanked by two handles and topped by a parcel reticulated and chiseled lid with a dragon-shaped finial, it is finely decorated in cloisonne enamels with lotus scrolls and flowers as well as confronted dragons against a light turquoise blue ground, the legs have nice gilded beast faces, the lid is parcel open-worked and chiseled with bats, the finial is intricately reticulated with a five-clawed dragon amidst clouds; - two cloisonne beaker or yenyen vases adorned with taotie masks, stylized banana leaves and lotus flowers and. H (the biggest, the incense burner): 48 cm Note: Known as wugong (the five offerings - here missing a pair of candleholders), wares of this type were made in the finest materials to serve as ceremonial furnishings in the many shrines, temples and ritual spaces within the compounds of the Imperial palaces. Altar garnitures typically comprise an incense burner, placed in the center, flanked by two candleholders and gu-shaped vases, all placed on tall stools, as seen in a 20th century picture of the Daxiongbaodian of the Tanzhe Temple near Beijing, illustrated in Helmut Brinker and Albert Lutz, Chinese Cloisonné. These ceremonial wares were conventionally modeled after archaic bronzes from the Shang and Zhou dynasties. By the Song dynasty this practice had already been established, but abandoned at the beginning of the Ming, when the Hongwu emperor decreed that daily utensils were to be used during state rituals. It was however reinstated in the first part of the Qianlong emperor’s reign, reflecting the emperor’s interest in the correct performance of ceremonies and rituals. 景泰蓝莲花摆件三件套 中国，晚清，19世纪 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.