AN ARCHAISTIC DING-FORM BRONZE TRIPOD CENSER China, the bronze vessel dating to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644); the wooden lid and jade knob dating to the 19^th century.. The bronze censer in the form of an archaic ding vessel, the rounded bowl-shaped body supported on three curved legs, the flat, lipped rim is applied with two U-shaped handles. The exterior and legs with a band of archaistic motifs against a leiwen ground. With a matching hardwood cover carved in openwork and set with a jade finial incised with the Ying Yang symbol.

The design of the present censer is copied from Chinese Shang and Zhou-dynasty ding censers, which were admired by many scholars of the period and were used for cooking and ritual offerings originally.

Condition: Good condition with wear and casting flaws, minor losses and nicks here and there. The wood with two cracks. The interior with encrustations.
Provenance: German private collection. Acquired at Nagel Auktionen in Asian Art on 16 June 2017, lot 381.

Weight: 2838 g
Dimensions: Height 28 cm (incl. cover) and 20.3 cm (the censer), width 22.5 cm (handle to handle)