A PAIR OF CHINESE CLOISONNE 'LUDUAN' INCENSE BURNERS AND COVERS

19TH CENTURY

Each cast as a luduan, their horned heads forming the hinged covers, each with its mouth agape revealing its tongue and sharp fangs, brightly decorated with large scrolls and geometric designs reserved on a ground of royal blue scales, with loose bells and tassels suspending from their collars, the mythical beasts standing upon sinuous snakes, with six character Xuande marks to the bases, each together with a pierced wood stand, 35cm, each 6.5kg. (4)

Provenance: from the collection of Sir Raymond Smith KBE (1917-2002) and Lady Smith (1918-1996), acquired in a London auction c.1975.

Raymond and Dorothy Smith met in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1939 whilst Raymond was serving as Attaché at the British Embassy liaising with the US on behalf of British Security. They married the following year shortly before returning to the UK. Dorothy then worked for the Ministry of Information in London and Raymond served with the Intelligence Corps in France and various countries in the Far East. After the end of the Second World War, Raymond and Dorothy returned to Venezuela where they made their home. Raymond became a consultant representing various Defence and Aviation companies including British Aerospace, Marconi Plessey and Rolls Royce among others. In 1960, he was awarded the CBE and subsequently in 1967 the KBE for services to British exports. Raymond and Dorothy maintained close ties with the UK and they frequently travelled to London, becoming avid art collectors. Their Old Master and Impressionist works collection included two pieces by Canaletto amongst many other artworks. Their wide-ranging collections, including their collection of Chinese Art, were acquired from the mid 1960s through to the 1980s, principally from Sotheby's and Christie’s in London.

Cf. Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum, Enamels, 3, Cloisonné in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), p.57, no.24 for a pair of Qianlong period cloisonné luduan also with snake-like creatures at their feet.