A LUDUAN BRONZE CENSER, QINGChina, 18th-earlier 19th century. The massively cast auspicious creature stands on a serpent. Its upturned head is framed by a thick, curly mane and forms the lid, which is attached by a solid hinge.Provenance: British private collection.Condition: Very good condition. Some wear and minor traces of use, a few minuscule nicks and casting irregularities here and there.Weight: 2130 grams.Dimensions: Height 15.5 cm.The snake is reaching its head and tail up the creature’s hind legs. Swirls of qi are covering the beast's bulbous body. A tasseled collar with a bell is hanging down its front chest. Luduan is a legendary Chinese auspicious creature. It can travel 18,000 li (9000 km) in a single day and speaks all world languages. A legend says a luduan once appeared to Genghis Khan and convinced him to abandon his efforts to conquer India. The throne of the Emperor in the Hall of Supreme Harmony has two incense burners shaped like the luduan as an auspicious symbol.清青銅甪端爐中國，十八世紀至十九世紀初。大型吉祥神獸立於蛇身上，上翹的頭部鬃毛捲曲，形成一個蓋子，通過一條堅固的鏈子連接。來源：英國私人收藏.品相：非常好。一些磨損和輕微使用痕跡，一些輕微劃痕和鑄造缺陷。 重量：2130 克尺寸：高 15.5 厘米