CHINA, early 20th century. Xianglu perfume burner in brown patina bronze, oval in shape, the container decorated in relief with fantastic animals such as flying horses, qilin, dragon-fish, among swirling waves, enhanced in high relief on the short sides, feline masks holding mobile rings; The top cover is openwork with dragons among clouds and surmounted by a handle depicting a coiled dragon surrounded by lotus petals; the whole resting on a base decorated with lotus petals, supported by four small feet in the shape of ruyi heads. A large Ming Xuande sigillary mark on the base of the vessel. Height 25 cm. Width 20 cm. Depth 13 cm. A similar incense burner, dated to the late Ming period, 17th century, was sold on 4 June 2021 at Daguerre in Paris, lot 96. The Musée Cernuschi in Paris holds one in the same style in gilt bronze, dated to the Ming period, published in Michel Maucuer, Bronze de la Chine impériale des Song aux Qing, no. 81, p. 131, Paris, 2013. Provenance: Family of Bordeaux doctors who practised in Indochina. Expert: Madame Anne Papillon d'Alton