Untitled

Unknown

early 15th century · Bronze · Asian Art

The careful sculpting and meticulous anatomical details of the current work demonstrate the new taste and high standards of the early Ming imperial court. Cleverly designed so that the fragrant incense is exhaled from the bird’s open beak, the censer artfully combines naturalism, ornamental detail, and an appreciation of history through its reference to bird-shaped incense burners (first created during the Han dynasty [206 BCE–220 CE] and revived during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries).

Artist

Unknown

Date

early 15th century

Medium

Bronze

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, The Vincent Astor Foundation Gift, 2020