Censer in the form of a mythical beast
Not on view
This robust incense burner demonstrates high-end porcelain sculpture and epitomizes the antiquarian interest of the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644) for creatively reviving the form and styles of ancient Chinese bronzes. Based on a Han dynasty (206 BC to AD 220) prototype, this Ming dynasty example was identified as a luduan, an auspicious unicorn able to master foreign languages that would only appear when a virtuous ruler came to the throne. This representation of the creature is not simply a copy of an ancient prototype; rather its playfully animated form and décor mark it as a brilliant antiquarian creation. This design also played as a model for contemporary and later artworks in other mediums, such as bronze and cloisonné.
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