CHINA, QING DYNASTY, XIANFENG SIX-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1851-1861)

Large bronze censers bearing a six-character Xianfeng mark are exceptionally rare. Compare a large bronze archaistic quadruped censer, Xianfeng six-character mark and of the period, cast with dragons amidst clouds and similarly bearing the six-character mark Da Qing Xianfeng nian zao, sold at Christie’s London, 17 April 1985, lot 293.

The production of such large and finely cast bronze vessels would have been particularly remarkable during the Xianfeng reign, a period marked by considerable political and economic turmoil. Monumental bronze censers of this type were probably intended for use or display in Buddhist temples within the Imperial palace precincts, the censer forming one of the traditional Buddhist Five Offerings. Comparable large-scale bronze vessels were also prominently displayed within the Forbidden City, including outside the Qianqinggong (Palace of Heavenly Purity) and Cininggong (Palace of Compassion and Tranquillity), reflecting the important ceremonial role of monumental bronze vessels within Qing Imperial architecture.