Antique Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer With Strap Handles & Xuande Mark Late Ming

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Antique Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer with Strap Handles & Xuande Mark | Late Ming Dynasty

Late Ming Dynasty Chinese bronze … Read more Antique Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer with Strap Handles & Xuande Mark | Late Ming Dynasty

Late Ming Dynasty Chinese bronze tripod censer (xianglu) with upright strap handles, three short legs, and apocryphal Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi mark. Excellent patina and impressive desk size.

A superb example of a classic Chinese bronze tripod censer from the Late Ming Dynasty (late 16th to 17th century).
Of typical shallow rounded “bombé” form, the vessel is supported on three short conical legs and fitted with two elegant upright strap handles (冲天耳 — “sky-piercing ears”). The base is clearly cast with the apocryphal six-character Xuande reign mark 大明宣德年製 (Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi). This mark was commonly added to high-quality bronzes long after the Xuande period as a mark of prestige and superior craftsmanship.
The piece displays a rich, naturally developed dark bronze patina with attractive areas of verdigris, especially visible inside — clear evidence of centuries of use and genuine age. No cracks, repairs, or restorations are present. The casting is crisp and the form is well-balanced and substantial.
Dimensions
Height: 4.5 inches (11.4 cm)
Width (across handles): 7 inches (17.8 cm)
Depth: 6.5 inches (16.5 cm)
Approximate rim/body diameter: 6¾ inches (17 cm) — matches published examples of this exact form.
Condition
Good antique condition. Beautiful natural patina with minor surface wear and interior verdigris consistent with age and historical use. Structurally perfect — ready to display or use.
Origin
China, Late Ming Dynasty (晚明 沖天耳三足銅爐)
This is a collector-grade scholar’s object that would be equally at home on a Ming-style desk, in a formal interior, or as a striking decorative accent. A very similar example appears in auction catalogs with comparable dimensions and mark.
Censers have their origins in the tripod vessels of Neolithic pottery. The earliest examples in bronze date from the Shang (c. 1600- 1046 BC) and Western Zhou (c. 1045-771 BC) periods and were used as ritual and sacrificial vessels as well as cauldrons for cooking. By the Song dynasty (960-1279) censers had made their way into the scholar’s studio. In this setting, censers were used as incense burners - a sensory accoutrement and source of inspiration for the Chinese scholar’s artistic and literary pursuits. See less