The globular body raised on a splayed foot with projecting animal mask and loose ring handles on either side of the rim, the globular body and domed cover pierced and carved with chrysanthemum and other floral scroll, the finial in the form of a coiled dragon surrounded by three reclining rams, the stone with brown rivering. Former Classification: Jade

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."

file_downloadprintshare
arrow_back back
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

800px

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.

The globular body raised on a splayed foot with projecting animal mask and loose ring handles on either side of the rim, the globular body and domed cover pierced and carved with chrysanthemum and other floral scroll, the finial in the form of a coiled dragon surrounded by three reclining rams, the stone with brown rivering. Former Classification: Jade

Error loading high resolution image. Report this problem.