A small crisply-cast golden colored bronze censer with elephant handles and archaic design.

The heavy golden colored bronze has been cast with three elephant feet and a pair of matching elephant handles. The casting is deep and precise. There is a band in the middle of the body with an archaic design of a dragon surrounded by a key fret ground. Above and below this band are round cast studs. These round studs are not the same pattern and show a front and back. The base is flat and has a deeply cast reign mark in the center. There is a band at the mouth and a wide band at the base with the elephant feet.

There is a Xuande reign mark cast into the base.

MEASUREMENTS

2 1/4” (5.7 cm) tall x 3” (7.6 cm) wide x 2 ¼” (5.7 cm) diameter. Weighs 4.9 oz (140 g)

CONDITION

There are no breaks, dents, or cracks. The interior is rough and shows use. The base has some pitting from manufacturer as well as some gold color coming through from wear. The mouth rim has tiny nicks and a few burn spots. It has a nice aged patina.

An amazing work of art for the scholar’s desk. I love the elephant handles and feet. The casting is so very sharp.