Untitled

Unknown

15th–16th century · Iron with silver inlay · Asian Art

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.

Artist

Unknown

Date

15th–16th century

Medium

Iron with silver inlay

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

Purchase, Gift of Elizabeth V. Cockcroft, by exchange, 2006