Bronze altar trim

Bronze altar set including a tripod incense burner and two vases. Decorated in light relief with dragons chasing the sacred pearl in the clouds. Qianlong marks in horizontal cartouches on the neck of the perfume burner and on the base of the vases.

Each of the three pieces has a brown patina, with the fine cast revealing three five-clawed dragons protecting the sacred pearl, each placed above three European-style ‘cabriole’ feet surmounted by lion masks. Each dragon is flanked by additional dragon figures whose bodies extend around the sides. The handles and the end of the neck repeat a similar dragon decoration.
A six-character mark reading ‘Da Qing Qianlong Nian Dao’ in line on the neck.
Solid cast, each foot of the incense burner cast separately and attached to the main body from the inside with screws.

Incense-burners and vases of this type were generally part of a complete set that also included two candle-holders. These were used during ritual ceremonies, usually produced for specific locations in Imperial Palace temples, and were generally commissioned to be offered to the emperor.

For a perfume burner of similar proportions and decoration, see Christie’s New York, March 22, 2007 Lot 201.

Incense burner: Total height: 82 cm
Width: 47 cm

Vases: Height: 47 cm
Width: 24 cm
Neck diameter: 14 cm