Xuande seal mark, 17th/18th century The censer heavily cast of rectangular shape with slightly tapering sides, supported on four integral corner feet, flanked by a pair of angular handles, the base cast with an apocryphal mark in zhuanshu script. 13cm (5 1/8in) wide.
十七/十八世紀 銅馬槽爐 「大明宣德年製」篆書款
The name of this shape of incense burner in Chinese, 'horse trough burner' (macao lu 馬槽爐) derives from its distinctive shape, which resembles a horse trough (馬槽). This form stands apart from the traditional designs of ancient bronze incense burners, which were based on the concept of a 'round heaven and square earth.' While most incense burners adhered to the round-heaven design, fewer adopted the square-earth form, as seen in the present lot. This piece, a Qing dynasty imitation of a Ming Xuande censer, is cast in solid bronze with a dignified and solemn presence. Its simplicity exudes a refined elegance, embodying the scholarly spirit.
See a similar bronze rectangular incense burner, 17th century, which was sold at Bonhams London, 9 November 2015, lot 296. Compare also with a similar bronze rectangular incense burner, 17th/18th century, which was sold at Christie's New York, 21 March 2014, lot 2285.
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