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31. CLOISONNE ENAMEL INCENSE SET
Incised Qianlong four-character marks and of the period,
each with Bo, You, Bi characters respectively
Censer 4 3/4" (12.1 cm.) wide, vase 5 1/2" (14 cm.) high,
box and cover 2 5/8” (6.7 cm.) diameter


The censer takes the archaistic form of a bronze ding, the vase of tall pear-shaped bottle form. Each of the vessels is decorated with elaborate Indian lotus scrolls on a turquoise ground. The characters bo, you, bi, below the reign marks within gilt cartouches were used in the manner of serial numbers indicating specific locations for which these incense sets were intended in the palace.