China, Qing Dynasty or Early Republic, Miniature Copper Censure (Incense Burner)

• Origin: China, Qing dynasty or early Republic period (circa late 19th to early 20th century)
• Date: c. 1850 - 1920 CE
• Size: 2.7 x 1.9 inches
• Notes: This Chinese copper vessel from the late 19th to early 20th century is known as a censer, which is a type of bowl shaped incense burner. The character "宣" (xuān) appears on the bottom.
  
  Chinese incense burners have been an integral part of ritual and daily life for over two thousand years, evolving from simple bronze vessels into masterpieces of metalwork and ceramics. Some of the earliest examples, known as "boshanlu," appeared during the Han dynasty, with some scholars believing that their mountain-shaped lids symbolized sacred peaks wreathed in rising smoke. Over the centuries, incense burners reflected the spiritual and artistic ideals of each era: Tang craftsmen favored ornate bronze and gilt designs inspired by Buddhist imagery, while Song artisans created elegant ceramic forms with soft glazes like Ru and Jun ware. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, incense burners became both devotional and decorative, cast in bronze, cloisonné, or fine porcelain, often inscribed with auspicious motifs and imperial reign marks.

All purchases include a Certificate of Authenticity. You will receive the exact item in the photos.