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The Art of Scent

Asian Art in London
4th-14th November 2010

19. An Archaistic Bronze Censer, Zun

Late Ming Period, 17th Century, Incised ‘Hu Wenming Zhi’ Mark

The censer formed as a deep rounded bowl standing on a slightly spreading foot ring. It is cast and cold worked with two mask handles and with a band of dissolved taotie masks around the exterior centring on two vertical flanges, the gently flaring neck is decoated with two animal masks, each flanked by two kui dragons, all reserved on a ring-punched ground. The bronze has a reddish-brown tone.

8.5 cm. high

Hu Wenming is perhaps the most famous bronze caster in the late Ming period, who was active in the Huating area in Zhejiang in the Jiajing and Wanli period. His bronze vessels more commonly feature highly decorated surfaces through casting, hammering, parcel-gilding and inlaying. Their fanciful nature has caused Wen Zhenheng to declare them vulgar and not suitable for a scholar’s studio. However, this elegant censer is remarkably restrained in its aesthetic and its air of antiquity conforms perfectly to a scholar’s taste, which would have undoubtedly met the approval of even the most fastidious of scholars such as Wen Zhenheng himself.


Download full exhibition catalogue (PDF 9 MB)


Exhibition catalogue:

  1. A Rock Crystal Circular Box and Cover

  2. A Bronze Censer, Boshanlu

  3. A Gilt-Bronze Hand-Held Censer, Queweilu

  4. A White-Glazed Circular Oil Box and Cover

  5. Luohan and Incense Wood

  6. A White-Glazed Lion-Form Censer and Cover

  7. A Cylindrical Tripod Stone Censer and Cover

  8. A Large Bronze Tripod Censer

  9. A Celadon and Grey Jade Censer, Gui

  10. A Bronze Incense-Stick Holder

  11. A Blue and White Cylindrical Tripod Censer

  12. A Carved Bamboo Parfumier

  13. An Oblong Copper Hand Warmer

  14. A Bronze Tripod Censer

  15. A Bronze Foliate-Form Tripod Censer

  16. A Cylindrical Bronze Censer and Stand

  17. An Ivory Tool Vase

  18. A Blue and White Cylindrical Tripod Censer

  19. An Archaistic Bronze Censer, Zun

  20. A Bulbous Blue and White Censer

  21. A Wood Tool Vase

  22. A Gilt-Splashed Bronze Censer, Gui

  23. A Naturally Formed Section of Penglaixiang

  24. A Bronze Tripod Censer

  25. A Sandal Wood Pillow

  26. A Guan-Type-Glazed Tripod Censer

  27. An Aubergine-Glazed Tripod Censer

  28. A Baitong Hand Warmer

  29. A Gilt-Copper Circular Incense Box and Cover

  30. A Circular Carved Cinnabar Lacquer Box and Cover


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