Expert's Note:
Bronzes by Hu Wenming are most often parcel-gilt; however, this was not a universal feature within his workshop. The present censer, with a Christie's provenance and authentication, shows no parcel gilding on the decorative bands, yet the gilt base and seal mark (fig. 1) are rather well preserved, retaining an almost untouched surface. This effectively rules out later loss of gilding through wear or cleaning, as such processes would necessarily have affected the mark as well.
A related comparison is provided by a Ming-dynasty brushpot attributed to Hu Wenming (fig. 2), sold at Sotheby's (Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection, 2012, lot 176), which likewise appears to have been conceived without parcel gilding. These two works demonstrate that the absence of parcel gilding represents a deliberate variant within the Hu Wenming corpus.

China, late 16th-early 17th century. Cast with a compressed body supported on a tall, slightly flared foot and rising to a broad waisted neck with everted rim, applied with a pair of dragon-head handles incised with key-fret at the sides and suspending pendent tabs.

The body is cast with a central band of lotus blossoms borne on leafy scrolling vines, framed by a band of ten precious objects including scrolls, double-gourd, chimes, cash-coin, and a weiqi board below the rim, as well as a band of lingzhi scroll encircling the foot, all against richly textured grounds. The base is incised with a square panel enclosing the four-character Hu Wenming mark.

Inscriptions: To the base, 'Hu Wenming zhi'

Provenance: Christie's, London, 14 May 2019, lot 273, mid-estimate GBP 17,500 or approx. EUR 26,250 (converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing). A private collection in London, United Kingdom, and thence by descent.
Condition: Very good condition with expected old wear, casting irregularities, and ancient traces of use. Few minuscule nicks and small surface scratches. A minute loss to the body. Light verdigris to the interior.

Weight: 1.5 kg
Dimensions: Length 20.7 cm (across the handles)

Hu Wenming (active c. 1573-1620) is one of the most renowned metalworkers in Chinese history and one of the few whose name and style are discussed in Chinese art-historical writing. Originally from Yunjian (present-day Songjiang near Shanghai), he became one of the most accomplished craftsmen of the late Ming dynasty. Most of the works attributed to Hu Wenming are scholarly objects, such as incense burners and brush pots, characterized by densely worked backgrounds covered with naturalistic and other motifs cast in high relief. His works frequently reinterpret archaic bronze forms with refined late-Ming ornamentation, such as ring-punched grounds, scrolling foliage, mythical beasts, and wave patterns. His work was highly regarded by the educated elite in the Jiangnan region (lower Yangzi delta). Many surviving pieces bear his six-character seal-script mark 'Yunjian Hu Wenming zhi', indicating workshop pride. His works are held in major museum collections and frequently cited as benchmarks of Ming dynasty metalwork.

Literature comparison:
Compare a related bronze incense burner with similar Hu Wenming mark illustrated by Sydney L. Moss, The Second Bronze Age: Later Chinese Metalwork, Hong Kong, 1991, no. 86.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's London, 8 November 2013, lot 1282
Price: GBP 16,250 or approx. EUR 26,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A parcel-gilt bronze censer, gui, incised Hu Wenming four-character mark, 17th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related form, manner of casting, motifs, and Hu Wenming mark. Note the much smaller size (14.5 cm) and parcel-gilding.