Early 20th Century Chinese Temple Bronze Incense Censer Urn

Item Details

An early 20th century Chinese temple bronze incense censer urn, likely Guangxu era. There are a pair of stylized dragon handles to either side of the urn, and a relief of scrolls and florals. The lid to the urn has an openwork pierced design with scrolls, and a finial depicting a flaming pearl. The urn symbolizes the dragon chasing the ‘pearl of wisdom’ or ‘enlightenment’. The urn rests on three ornate feet depicting four clawed beasts or dragons atop an orb or pearl decorated in scrolls. Four clawed dragons represent nobility. The pedestal is round and features four mythical beast masks to each side alternating with scrolls. The urn is not marked.

Dimensions

Item #

17LEX225-056