Antique Chinese Glazed Figural Censers - a Pair

Details

Description

A pair of antique Cizhou-type cream glazed cat (māo) incense stick holders.

Dating to the early Qing - possibly late … Read more A pair of antique Cizhou-type cream glazed cat (māo) incense stick holders.

Dating to the early Qing - possibly late Ming Dynasty, scarce near matching mirrored pairs such as this have become exceedingly difficult to find. Born in northern China, each statue handcrafted of porcelain and modeled as a seated cat, mounted by small human figure appearing to be riding the cat, small hole in the top to place the incense stick, featuring unique details worked in blue and brown glaze.

Placed atop a console, wall shelf, or flanking a table centerpiece, these charming Asian antiques are a wonderful and quick way to add essential design elements of shape, texture, neutral color, and sculptural form, as well as adding a thoughtful touch of playful whimsical elegance, old rustic warmth, conversational intrigue and cultural interest to any space!

Dimensions (approx):
Each: 6.75" High, 3.5” Wide, 3” Deep

Good original antique condition. Presents well, enhanced by beautifully aged patina. Heavily worn, faded, naturally distressed, chippy paint finish losses, crazing - craquelure throughout. All wear consistent with age and use.

History:
Censers have been a part of Chinese culture for thousands of years, with some of the earliest vessels identified as censers dating to the mid-fifth to late fourth centuries BCE.

During the T’ang period, incense was used by upper class people for personal hygiene, romantic rendezvous, and deodorizing the interior of edifices. These included places of worship, dwellings, and work-spaces. Dating back to the seventh century AD, the kuanhuo (changing of fire) ceremony took place, where people would cleanse their homes with incense. However, in some parts of East Asia, incense burners were used as a way to tell time.

In the Far East, incense was used as a way to tell time because it was a simple mechanism and generally not a fire hazard. Time increments were marked off on each incense stick to show how much time had passed, then placed in a ritual tripod vessel known as a ting. See less