A Chinese patinated bronze tripod censer, Ding, with matched incense tool vase
late Ming/early Qing dynasty, 17th/18th century
The archaistic circular censer with two vertical U-shaped vertical handles at the lip, raised on three circular legs with flanged taotie masks at the knees, the neck and body molded with stylized "silkworm" border and mask lappets, crusty dark black-brown patina; the vase of elegant vasiform with similar "silkworm" border at the neck, dark brown patina with traces of black.
H: 10 in.
PROVENANCE:
The censer: formerly private collection, Bucks County, Pennsylvania
NOTE: it is rare to have a censer and incense tool vase from the same workshop to be offered together as a set.