Extremely rare tripod censer - Neoclassical - Bronze - August 1789

Wonderful and very rare incense burner or essence burner made of bronze, on a triangular base resting on a base with storks, figures of Greek, Roman and Christian mythology. Given the stork’s attitude to kill and eat small snakes, in the ancient Thessaly anyone who was caught killing a stork was considered a murderer and as such condemned. According to Roman mythology, the stork was consecrated to the goddess Venus (other versions say Juno) , therefore when a stork decided to make its nest on the roof of an house, it was thought to be a blessing from the goddess Venus. In ancient Rome there was the “Lex Ciconiaria” (Law of the storks) , which forced children to take care of their parents during old age and disease. The ancient Christians believed that a stork had flown on Christ's cross at the point of death and showed him compassion. Preserved in very good condition, valuable quality. Material: bronze. Cast with the date August 1789 A unique collector’s item. Please look at the many pictures to get a clearer idea of this lot. Origin: private Italian inherited collection.