LOT ISA Auctionata Auktionen AG  /  Treasures of Asia  / 

79

Bronze Censer in Ding-Shape and Opulent size, China, 19th C.

Currency:EUR Category:Collectibles Start Price:750.00 EUR Estimated At:1,200.00 - 1,500.00 EUR
Bronze Censer in Ding-Shape and Opulent size, China, 19th C.
Bronze with brown patina, partly gilt
China, 19th century
Bulbous vessel on three baluster shaped legs
Tall L-shaped handles
Body with revolving relief of archaistic characters
Decorative background of clouds
Shoulder with leiwen-border
On the neck meander border with stylized dragon
Dimensions: 48 x 40 cm
Provenance: Private collection Dortmund
Opulent censer with exceptional decoration, which refers to archaic bronze inscriptions and the reminds of the beginning of Chinese writing

This Chinese incense burner was made of bronze with brown patina and party gilt and dates back to the 19th century. The vessel has a bulbous body in ding-form, which were used as ritual cult objects in sacrificial rites. Three baluster shaped legs carry the body and two towering L-shaped handles flank the sides. The neck rises on the shoulders, which are decorated with leiwen-border and forms a wide mouth edge with meanders and stylized dragons. The body is decorated with a revolving relief of archaized characters on a rich ground of moving clouds. The six-character Qianlong mark is found on the upper rim.



The censer is in good condition with age-related signs of wear. The length is 48 cm and the width is 40 cm.



The Bronze Age in China began with the Shang Dynasty, known for its elaborate bronze art. Shang bronze smiths usually worked in foundries outside the cities to make ritual vessels, and sometimes weapons and chariot fittings as well. The bronze vessels were receptacles for storing or serving various solids and liquids used in the performance of sacred ceremonies. The most popular shapes include the Hu, the Jue, the Ding and the very rare Zhi form. It is typical of the developed Shang style that all available space is decorated, most often with stylised forms of real and imaginary animals. The most common motif is the Taotie which shows a mythological being presented frontally on a horizontal plane to form a symmetrical design.
Shipping costs excl. statutory VAT and plus 2,5% (+VAT) shipping insurance.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot