Incense burner with peacock and peony
Scenes of peacocks flying among peonies and trees were meticulously rendered with silver damascening over an iron body. Although this censer bears a Xuande reign mark on its base, the style of writing and the format depart from those of imperially commissioned bronzes of the Xuande era (1426–35). The much freer style of decorative motifs further indicates that it was likely made in Derge, East Tibet (now Gengqing, Sichuan Province), a center of damascening production.
Artwork Details
- 明 鉄鋄金銀方爐
- Title: Incense burner with peacock and peony
- Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Date: 15th–16th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Iron damascened with silver
- Dimensions: H. 4 7/8 in. (12.4 cm); L. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); D. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Elizabeth V. Cockcroft, by exchange, 2006
- Object Number: 2006.473a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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China
16th century
China
early 15th century
China
mid-16th century
Tibet
late 15th century
China
early 15th century
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