Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer to the 18th Century.
Dating to circa 1760, this striking vessel displays the monumental presence, thick walls, and dense alloy characteristic of fine mid-Qing Dynasty metallurgy. Boasting an immense gross weight of nearly 4.7 kg, it represents a magnificent centerpiece for any serious collector of Chinese works of art or Scholar’s Studio desk accoutrements.
The 16-Character Base Mark
The base features a highly crisp, deeply recessed 16-character square seal matrix written in regular script (kaishu),
“Made in the 5th year of Xuande of the Great Ming, supervised and made by the Ministry of Public Works official, Minister Wu Bangzuo.”
While bearing the legendary 15th-century imperial supervisor's mark, the outstanding density, substantial heft, and sharp definition of the seal matrix align this piece as a magnificent 18th-century Qianlong-era revival luxury ware produced for the sophisticated scholar-gentry market.
Specifications & Weight
Form: Tripod Li with Bridge Handles
Date: 18th Century / Qing Dynasty (Circa 1760)
Diameter: 29 cm
Height: 20 cm
Gross Weight: 4,690 grams (4.69 kg / 10.3 Ibs) — immense, satisfying weight in the hand.
This is an exceptionally heavy, thick-walled casting with immense bottom-heaviness ("sink rate"), confirming the lavish metal abundance of mid-18th-century foundry production
Condition Report
Offered in overall very good, stable antique condition. The exterior has been polished over its lifetime to a wonderful, bright golden-brass hue, showing expected minor casting pitting and negligible light surface scratches commensurate with age. Crucially, the interior remains completely untouched, retaining a thick, rich layer of historic oxidation and original incense soot residue—a fantastic testament to its decades of ritual use. No structural cracks, splits, or repairs detected.
Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London
Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer to the 18th Century.
Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page
Large Heavy 18thC Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer c1760 Wu Bangzuo Mark 29cm 4.69kg
