Notes: The 'Ding' Kiln censer has two layers. There is a mythical beast lying on the top of the cover, and the body section is using openwork design. Lower layer is decorated with lotus-petals pattern. Archaistic-beast-legs design is used. 'TaiSyou Sixth year March, from Nishi Honganji' characters ink-mark is on the bottom of the censer. It supposed belong to Nishi Honganji's Collection before 1917. (Nishi Honganji was facing a serious financial issue starts from the 3rd year of Taisho Period. Corruption and stealing were happen amount the monks since then. Many antiques and fine arts were sold by Abbot Otani Kozui in order to deal with the huge amount of debts.) Provenance: 1.Property from Nishi Honganji's (西本願寺) Collection (Before 1917). 2. Property from Mr. & Mrs. Gold's Collection. Collection No. DG/1970/131 Literature: Date of Publication: December 1931 (The 2nd year of Showa Period) Lot.626, Tokyo Art Club. Song Kiln Lion Censer with Cover. 此件定窑熏炉分为上下两层，炉盖卧一独角瑞兽，中部镂空，下半部分装饰莲瓣，造型古朴，下呈三兽足。炉底部墨书“大正六年三月 西本愿寺传来”字样，判断此件熏炉应为日本西本愿寺旧藏，（大正三年日本西本愿寺遇到财政危机，僧侣贪腐，法主大谷光瑞变卖寺内藏品应对巨额债务，大量古董艺术品流出） 来源：1 日本西本愿寺旧藏（1917以前） 2 戈尔德伉俪藏品 收藏编号DG/1970/131 出版：昭和六年十二月 东京美术俱乐部 626 宋窑狮子盖香炉