Incense burner with fish-shaped handles
The legendary bronze censers of the Xuande era (1426–35) were particularly renowned for their sublime, lustrous surfaces. Many incense burners bear the mark of the Xuande emperor as a means of paying homage to this glorious production, including the example here. Decorated with a smooth red-and-gold patina, this vessel would have been used by a scholar in their studio and cherished as a necessity for a fragrant pastime
Artwork Details
- 明晚期 宣德款銅魚耳爐
- Title: Incense burner with fish-shaped handles
- Period: Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
- Date: 16th–17th century
- Culture: China
- Medium: Copper alloy
- Dimensions: H. 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm); Diam. 5 1/4 in. (13.3 cm); Diam. of rim 3 3/8 in. (8.6 cm); Diam. of foot 2 1/2 in. (6.4 cm)
- Classification: Metalwork
- Credit Line: H. O. Havemeyer Collection, Bequest of Mrs. H. O. Havemeyer, 1929
- Object Number: 29.100.547
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Chinese
1368–1644
China
early 15th century
Chinese
late 16th–early 17th century
Attributed to Hu Wenming
early 17th century
China
mid-18th century
Related Content
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please contact us using the form below. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.