CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, XVIIIÈME-XIXÈME SIÈCLE

Mythical beasts of this form are known as luduan, legendary creatures capable of distinguishing between good and evil. Because of these qualities, incense burners of this form were placed beside or in front of the imperial throne to symbolise that the emperor, protected by these animals, was a virtuous and intelligent ruler. The present lot may be compared to a pair of cloisonné enamel mythical beast censers from the Qianlong period sold at Christie's, Paris, 8 December 2021, lot 78.