17TH-18TH CENTURY

Islamic culture became increasingly popular in the Ming dynasty due to the active trade between China and central and West Asia. The Zhengde Emperor (1491-1521) was known to be fascinated with exotic foreigners. During his reign, he invited many Muslims to serve as companions, eunuchs and advisors at the imperial court. It was recorded in The Book of China written by the Persian merchant and traveler Seid Ali Akbar Khatai that Zhengde was a devout Muslim. Therefore, it is not surprising to find Zhengde-marked works with Arabic inscriptions. Incense boxes such as the present lot were typically used in imperial households or in rituals in mosques, and occasionally bestowed on court officials as a reward.

A similar bronze circular box and cover bearing a different Arabic inscription, was offered at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, 9 October 2012, lot 3114. Another similar box with a Zhengde mark was sold at Sotheby’s London, 28 October 1988, lot 148. A quadrilobed box and cover bearing Arabic inscription of Alhamdulillah was sold at Christie’s New York, 19 September 2006, lot 123.