Censer - Porcelain - Double Foo Lion - 17th century

A rare incense burner from the Tianqi/Chongzhen period, late Ming dynasty for the Japanese market.

The cover is decorated with two modeled Foo Lions, accentuated with underglaze blue. The square base is decorated with panels of flowers and butterflies alternates with panels decorated with an applied Foo Lion head and bamboo and scholars rock. The cover is hollow so the incense smoke rises up true the mouths of the Foo lions when the lid is closed.

Provenance: Acquired in Japan, comes with a tomobako box and a silk shifuku pouch.

Reference: For a censer of related design see Christie's | Live Auction 16950 | Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art | Lot 1065 | https: //www. christies. com/en/lot/lot-6220474

Also a similar incense container depicted in Ko-Sometsuke | Kawahara, Masahiko | Published by Kyoto Shoin Co. , Ltd. | 1977 | page 21 item 13

Dimensions: Height 13. 5 cm Width 10 cm

Condition: No damage! Only minor wear and accumulated dirt consistent with age.

Shipping: The censer will be very securely packaged and shipped with insurance. (Without the doll house vase, just for scale) .