EXTRAORDINARY, Early 17th C. Chinese parcel gilt-bronze Huwenming censer. Potted of cylindrical form with gilt banded on rim and foot, raised on three ruyi shaped legs. Cast in a bulbous baluster shape body, with globular belly elevated the tall over hung flaring rim, raised on a footed base. The exterior decorated in relief with gilt blossoming trees interspersed within double-Y patterned diaper ground. The upper mouth rim and the foot base rim carved of gilt key fret. The metal patinated to a warm dark brown tone and some milky blue-green encrustation. The recessed base has a gilt four-character mark Hu Wenming Zhi incised within a square.PROVENANCE: From the private collections of Madame Kimball, of Boston, Massachusetts, by inheritance. Records bought from AMEUBLEMENTS ANCIENS, Faiences & Porcelaines, Bibelots & Tapisseries Anciennes, 3 Rue Des Saints-Peres, Paris (6). Dealers in Works of Art & Antiques, Curios, Armor, Plate, China, Jewels, etc.Height:2.75 inWidth: 2.5 in in