A pair of monumental bronze incense burners

MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

Details

A pair of monumental bronze incense burners
Meiji Period (Late 19th century)
Both cast in sections and mounted on a high base, the central ovoid section cast on one side with three phoenixes and peonies and on the opposite side with three cranes and pine and applied with large handles cast in the form of rampant Chinese lions and peonies, the top section cast with further phoenixes in high relief, which are repeated as decorative handles just below, all supported on a dragon-and-cloud base
87¾in. (222.9cm.) high (2)

Provenance

Acquired in England in the 1930s

Brought to you by

Heakyum Kim

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hkim@christies.com + 1 212 636 2164

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Lot Essay

In the Meiji period (1868-1912), Japan entered into industrial competition with the Western nations and applied traditional technology to works of art for export. Pieces such as these incense burners were made for exhibition in Europe and America, where they won great acclaim. Bronze-casters from all over Japan responded magnificently to the challenge, adapting the existing traditions of bronze manufacture for temple fittings and flower containers to produce an impressive range of outsize exhibition pieces that combine exaggerated features borrowed from early Chinese work with a wealth of exotic decoration.

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