Tripod incense burner
Ancient ritual bronzes often served as prototypes for later metalwork, particularly those with ritual or ceremonial functions. The shape of this piece is based on an archaic tripod vessel known as a ding, which was used for holding or serving food and other offerings; however, this object functioned as an incense burner. The six-character mark on the raised gilt-bronze plaque identifies that it was from the imperial workshop in Beijing.
Artwork Details
- 清乾隆 掐絲琺瑯纏枝蓮紋薰爐
- Title: Tripod incense burner
- Period: Qing dynasty (1644–1911), Qianlong period (1736–95)
- Culture: China
- Medium: Cloisonné enamel, gilt bronze
- Dimensions: H. to knob 15 3/8 in. (39.1 cm); W. 8 5/8 in. (21.9 cm); Diam. of rim 8 in. (21.9 cm)
- Classification: Cloisonné
- Credit Line: Bequest of Stephen Whitney Phoenix, 1881
- Object Number: 81.1.625a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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China
China
18th century
Tibet or Mongolia
17th century
Central Tibet
ca. 1700
China
second half 18th century
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