Incense Burner

17th–18th century

Not on view

Much Chinese art is informed by a complex understanding of the past. The shape of this incense burner is a fascinating example of this tendency, having been derived from a ceramic of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279) that was itself inspired by an archaic ritual vessel used during the Bronze Age. The addition of a matching stand, on the other hand, can be traced to the seventeenth century, as can the alchemical treatment of the bronze, which creates a sense of surface depth comparable to that found in glazed porcelains.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

Title: Incense Burner
Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Date: 17th–18th century
Culture: China
Medium: Bronze with treated surface
Dimensions: H. (with stand) 7 in. (17.8 cm); Diam. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm)
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Bequest of William Mitchell, 1922
Object Number: 22.32.9a, b
Curatorial Department: Asian Art

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