Chinese Tripod Incense Burner with Dragon, Phoenix and Guardian Lion – Xuande Style, 20th Century

Object details

• Object: lidded Chinese tripod incense burner
• Origin: China
• Date: second half of the 20th century, c. 1960–1990
• Material: brass-rich copper alloy
• Dimensions: H 13 × W 11.5 × D 5 cm
• Weight: 200 g
• Decoration: dragon, phoenix, shou longevity emblem, lotus and cloud scrolls
• Finial: Buddhist guardian lion with a ball
• Mark: four-character Xuande-style mark; not a Ming-period date

A compact symbolic censer

The vessel brings together a deliberately auspicious programme of Chinese imagery. A dragon and phoenix move around the rounded body in raised relief, separated by a geometric shou emblem for longevity. Projecting beast-head handles and mask-topped legs give the small censer the visual vocabulary of larger archaizing ritual bronzes.

The pierced domed cover is filled with lotus blossoms and scrolling foliage. Above it sits a lively guardian lion gripping a ball, creating a sculptural finial that is visible from every side.

The Xuande-style mark

A four-character mark on the underside references the celebrated Xuande bronze tradition. It should be read as a later archaizing mark rather than evidence of a 15th-century date. The light casting, finishing and overall manufacture are consistent with Chinese decorative work from the second half of the 20th century.

Use and condition

Dark incense residue remains inside the vessel, showing that it was used rather than kept purely as decoration. Localized blue-green copper oxidation is visible around several feet, handles and protected joins. The lid, lion finial, handles and tripod legs are all present, with normal surface wear from use and age.

Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.

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