Bowl-Shaped Bronze Burner with Gilt-Bronze Animal Masks Suspending Loose Rings

Ming Dynasty
Width: 18cm
Height: 14.6cm

Created with the lost wax method, the bowl-shaped burner comes with an original waisted stand with cusped openings. The shoulder is carved in high relief with animal masks suspending loose rings. At the base is a Xuande mark in seal script within a square. The burner originally had a coat in "crimson cloud red", but as it aged, it has taken on a yellowish-brown patina that is not unlike the colour of the faded papers of ancient scriptures. The entire piece, as well as the stand, is covered with small, irregular splashes of gold. Cast of high quality bronze, this beautiful piece is particularly substantial in weight and is valued for its brilliant sheen, and is regarded as "even more valuable than pure gold".