Early 20th Century Chinese Foo Dog Bronze Cloisonné Censor

Details

Description

A vintage bronze censer with rich cloisonné enamel decoration throughout, worked in blue, red, green, and white against a deeply … Read more A vintage bronze censer with rich cloisonné enamel decoration throughout, worked in blue, red, green, and white against a deeply textured bronze ground with a fine fretwork pattern. Two stylized dragon-form handles curve outward from the shoulders, their heads turned back with small horns and open jaws.

The domed, pierced lid is topped with a seated foo dog (guardian lion) finial, cast with a curled mane and tail, standing watch over the piece. The body rests on scrolled bronze legs joined by a twisted rope-form stretcher, giving the whole piece a sturdy, ceremonial presence.

The cloisonné bands wrap the body and lid in repeating cloud and scroll motifs, a classic decorative language in Chinese incense burners. The opening itself measures approximately 4.25 inches across. See less