Untitled

Unknown

16th–17th century · Brass · Asian Art

The surface of this incense burner is decorated with mythical creatures moving in and out of the waves in high relief. Combining the techniques of openwork and relief, its lid features a dragon and phoenix soaring among clouds. In the late Ming dynasty, connoisseurs praised the perfect casting of imperial bronzes made in the Xuande era (1426–35). The artist here added a Xuande mark to its bottom as an attempt to imitate the legendary bronzes.

Artist

Unknown

Date

16th–17th century

Medium

Brass

Culture

China

Department

Asian Art

Credit line

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