AN UNUSUAL GILT-DECORATED ARABIC-INSCRIBED BRONZE CENSER Cast Zhengde four-character sealmark

AN UNUSUAL GILT-DECORATED ARABIC-INSCRIBED BRONZE CENSER
Cast Zhengde four-character sealmark
Of rectangular shape, the two long sides cast with an ogival panel with an Arabic inscription, the coppery bronze with a shimmering reflective surface, the narrow sides with simple vertical handles.
6 15/16in (17.5cm) across
Footnotes:
正德四字篆書款 鑄銅灑金阿拉伯文長方雙耳香爐

The two Islamic inscriptions on these vessels may be translated as follows:

Afdhal al-dhikr: The best remembrance (is)
Muhammad rasulu-llah: and Muhammad is his messenger.

Compare a similar Zhengde reign-marked Arabic-inscribed tripod bronze censer sold by Sotheby's New York, 21 March 2018, lot 627, and another sold in Sotheby's Hong Kong, 4 April 2012, lot 143, from the Water, Pine and Stone Retreat Collection.

Wares produced with decorative inscriptions derived from Arabic script were particularly popular during the Zhengde reign, as can be seen with various porcelain and bronze vessels of the period. This demand was probably influenced by the large body of influential Muslim advisors, eunuchs and envoys that served in the Imperial Court. Islamic-inspired vessels, such as the present lot, were however made principally for export to the Islamic market.

Incense burning served not only religious purposes, but also had more practical functions such as the fumigation of clothes. From the Song dynasty onwards, censers became an increasingly important element in the scholar's studio as the burning of incense was thought to enhance the clarity of mind. The inscriptions are religious or philosophical in content and many of these are quotations from the Qur'an. It is interesting to note that incense burning was also a popular practice among Muslims in their religious ceremonies.