Important Ritual Incense Burner Made Of Carved And Lacquered Wood, China, Late 19th–early 20th

An important and rare ritual incense burner of rectangular shape, carved in relief from hardwood, featuring superb remnants of polychromy and red lacquer in the Cinnabar style.

This ritual vessel of exceptional dimensions, intended for incense offerings on a major altar or in a temple, is distinguished by the power of its lines and the quality of its carved details.

The two impressive side handles, curving in an inverted S-shape, lend the object its full grandeur. They are carved in shallow relief with a scroll of blooming lotus flowers, a Buddhist symbol of purity.

The incense burner rests on four sturdy legs, sculpted in the round as the heads of mythical protective creatures, accented with red lacquer.

The body features moldings with a gentle curve, displaying great structural simplicity that contrasts elegantly with the opulence of the handles and base.

One of the side panels of the box bears a rare ritual inscription carved with six Chinese characters, perfectly integrated into the wood’s patina. Translation: “Respectfully offered by (or in memory of) Yu Lin Shizhang.” This named dedication attests that this incense burner is an object of worship and devotion commissioned by a family or a learned devotee.

Weight: 7.600 kg