| Antique
Japanese Bronze
Incense Burner
Shishi Censer
Taotie Mask
Tripod
Circa: Edo, 19th
century
H
14.5 in.(37cm), W 7 in.(18cm), D 9 in.(23cm)
Condition: chip, minor crack, o.a. very good! A
heavy Japanese bronze censer with a highly detailed and expressive foo dog motif
on the lid, the feet of the tripod shaped into powerful claws, above which rest
toothed taotie masks with single horns and curling manes. Hand-chased designs
of geometric and cloud motifs are inscribed around the bowl. At the sides two
simple, distinctly Japanese handles are attached. The jewel of the piece is the
foo dog, playing with the fabric ball of the lion, the decorative cords splayed
about the lid. The surfaces of the lion’s back, mane and tail show curled furry
spirals which terminate at the upraised five-tufted tail. Although it appears
light in the photos, the overall patina is almost black; the inside still contains
ash.
Private Collection
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