Qing Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer

Qing dynasty, 17th to 18th century, China.

Charming cast bronze tripod censer. A censer is a vessel in which incense is burned, especially during religious services. The main purposes of incense burners include fumigating clothing, for sacrifice and to keep a cheerful and tranquil mind during reading, because the ancient Chinese believed incense was beneficial for study, by appeasing the spirit and inspiring the mind. The earliest vessels identified as censers date to the mid-fifth to late fourth centuries BC during the Warring States period. The modern Chinese term for censer/incense burner "xianglu", is a compound of incense, aromatics (xiang) and brazier, stove or furnace (lu). Another common term is xunlu (a brazier for fumigating and perfuming). Early Chinese censer designs, often crafted as a round, single-footed stemmed basin, are believed to have derived from earlier ritual bronzes, such as the sacrificial chalice (dou).

Absolutely stunning bronze censer dates from a later period, most likely between the Kangxi and Qianlong reigns (1661-1796) of the Qing Dynasty. To satisfy the craze for incense burners, the emperor Xuande ordered officials to import fine copper from Thailand and make them into incense burners in accordance with the patterns of porcelains from the historical records and the famous five kilns. Therefore the later smiths tried to emulate the ‘Golden era’ of the Xuande and added the marks as a form of respect. Compressed globular shape standing on three waisted bulbous feet and two delicate upturned, curving handles with an apocryphal Chinese Qianlong six-character mark to the bottom "Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi". Good condition. Heavy encrusted patina. Age-related wear and light scratches. Size approx. 10,4cm x 8,3cm x 5,2cm. 

Provenance: Finnish private collection

References and further reading:

7 Things You Need to Know About Incense Burners, Chinese Works Of Art, Sotheby's, Jun 12, 2019. (www.sothebys.com/en/articles/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-incense-burners)