A ‘luduan’ incense burner and stemcup

The incense burner well potted, in the form of a mythical beast standing foursquare, the cover in the shape of an animal head, covered with a lustrous celadon green glaze, the base unglazed. The cup with a slender stem and splayed foot, all covered in a white glaze. Period: incense burner 17th/18th century, cup Tang (618 - 906). Height: 7 cm and 8 cm.

The stemcup with the label of Carl Kempe Collection, no. 246. Ludan are auspicious mythical beasts, renowned for their ability to transport themselves over great distances and for detecting truth. Incense burners of this form are designed so that the incense smoke rises from the mouth of the beast, to give the illusion of the beast being alive and breathing smoke.