Description
A good small Chinese cloisonné censer and cover 18th century, the ovoid body with scrolling foliage, bats, canopies and lotus beneath a band of stylized ruyi-heads on a turquoise ground and with dragon head loose-ringed handles, raised on three tall gilt metal dragon head legs, the reticulated cover with two loose intertwined five-clawed dragons contesting a flaming pearl of wisdom, the high knop with two further dragons, 20.2cm. (2)
Provenance: from the collection of Lt General John Ford Elkington d.1889, and thence by descent. Whilst a Major, Lt General John Ford Elkington served as Aide-de-camp to Major General Michel when in 1860, he was posted to China and was present at the sacking of the Old Summer Palace. A year later he went on to become Assistant Military Secretary.
