Covered Incense Burner, 19th century
Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more
Greenish-white nephriteexpand_more
The John R. Van Derlip Fund and Gift of the Thomas Barlow Walker Foundationexpand_more 92.103.17a,b
Not on Viewexpand_more
This elaborately carved incense burner is a classic example of "Mughal" or "Indian-style" jade carving. Muslim merchants from India often acted as middlemen in the jade trade between Turkestan, Burma and China. Certain types of carved jade and silver vessels manufactured in India and popular in the Mughal courts found their way to China. The Indian floral and tendril motifs, along with a preference for openwork and thinly walled vessels influenced Chinese carvers, who responded by incorporating these motifs and techniques into some of their own work, like this censer. Although it takes the shape of an ancient Chinese bronze vessel called a tui and a coiled dragon surmounts the lid, the extensive use of chrysanthemum motifs, the thin walls and the elaborate pierce-work of the cover evoke the "Indian-style."
Details
- Title
- Covered Incense Burner
- Role
- Artist
- Dimension
- 7 3/4 in. (19.69 cm)
- Accession Number
- 92.103.17a,b
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.