Openwork Bronze Censer With Double‑Phoenix Finial,Liao‑Jin Dynasty,10th‑13th Century

拍品描述

Dimensions:Length 36 cm (14.17 in),Height 16 cm (6.30 in),Weight 3600 g (7.94 lbs),Liao‑Jin Dynasty,10th‑13th CenturyCondition & Provenance:The complete three‑part censer is fully assembled,consisting of removable openwork cover,main vessel and integral lotus‑petal base.The bronze body retains heavy,multilayered ancient excavated patina with vibrant malachite‑green corrosion alongside earthy burial encrustations on interior and exterior surfaces.No major cracks or penetrative breaks;minor age‑related surface wear and tiny casting flaws consistent with medieval bronze craft.All phoenix and fruit‑form finials remain intact and firmly attached to the lid.No modern welding,no synthetic patina,no chemical cleaning or over‑restoration.This bronze censer derives from an old private Asian antiquities collection based in Los Angeles,California.The collector specialized in northern nomadic‑influenced medieval Chinese metalwork.This censer was acquired in 1999 via a well‑established San Francisco‑based Asian art gallery.It had been stored in climate‑controlled cabinet storage with minimal handling for decades and now enters the market through estate liquidation.Description:This elaborate long rectangular bronze censer represents high‑grade Liao‑Jin period ritual metalware,blending Central Plains Buddhist iconography with northern steppe artistic preferences.The whole set is structured in three sections.The stand is shaped with continuous overlapping lotus‑petal frieze forming an ornate raised plinth.The main rectangular vessel wall is fully decorated with dense multi‑layer open‑cut carving,displaying interwoven flying apsaras,floral scrolls and phoenix motifs;perforations allow incense smoke to drift outward during ritual burning.The removable cover is also extensively open‑worked for smoke ventilation and crowned by an eye‑catching finial group:two symmetrically standing phoenix birds flank a central engraved peach‑shaped ornament.The phoenix figures feature detailed crests,curved beaks,plumed tails and sturdy legs,executed in lively three‑dimensional casting.Interior surfaces preserve thick ancient soil deposits and stratified green bronze corrosion accumulated over centuries underground.The casting technique is sophisticated:deep relief carving and complex open‑work require highly skilled multi‑part mould production.Bronze censers of this scale and decorative complexity are relatively rare surviving artifacts from the Liao‑Jin era.It embodies the integrated religious belief,aesthetic taste and advanced bronze‑working technology of northern medieval societies.This well‑preserved excavated example with complete original assembly is a substantial collectible for ancient Chinese bronze and Buddhist art connoisseurs.

图片