for sale €9,945 $10,795

£8,500

Sandbanks Antiques

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Asian Antique Bronze

Tripod Incense Burner

Bronze Scholar Object

Chinese Tripod Censer

Chinese Ritual Vessel

Id #SA1204842

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A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

Name: A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1204842
Price: 8500 GBP
Availability: InStock

17th century

For Sale by Sandbanks Antiques

Description

A rare and high-status late Ming Dynasty bronze tripod censer of lobed "Lotus" form, weighing a remarkable 572g.

For its compact 10.5cm diameter, this weight indicates an incredibly dense, multi-refined alloy—a hallmark of the "sinking bronzes" prized by 17th-century Chinese scholars.

Date (Circa 1640–1690)

This piece dates to the Transitional Period between the Late Ming (Chongzhen) and Early Qing (Kangxi) dynasties. This attribution is confirmed by:

The Casting Density: Unlike later, thinner 18th/19th-century export pieces, this censer exhibits the massive heft and thick-walled construction of the 17th-century "Golden Age" of bronze revival.

Hand-Finished Interior: Photography of the interior reveals original, irregular "chatter marks" and scraping lines. These prove the piece was manually finished on a traditional foot-lathe, consistent with 17th-century workshop practices.

Architectural Balance: The "Bridge" handles (qiaoer lu) are taut and perfectly proportioned, a design intended to symbolize a bridge to higher knowledge.

The Colouring & Patina

The censer displays a world-class, multi-layered "Living Patina" that shifts depending on the light:

Primary Surface: A deep, velvet-matte "Dark Chocolate" (Zizhan) skin that has bonded to the metal over three centuries.

Underlying Core: Where the light hits the lobes and feet, a rich "Plum-Red" or "Date-Skin" (Zitong) glow emerges. This is natural Cuprite oxidation, a scientific indicator of an exceptionally high copper content in the original 17th-century alloy.

The Highlights: At the natural wear-points on the feet and rim, the metal reveals its "noble" core—a warm, buttery Honey-Gold, providing a stunning contrast to the dark, moody exterior.

Condition & Mark

The base features a crisp, deep-cast four-character Xuande Mark. This is an "Apocryphal Reverence Mark," placed there by 17th-century master-smiths to honour the historical peak of bronze casting. The piece remains in excellent original condition with no repairs, retaining its "Scholar’s Studio" crust and 300 years of history.

Weight: 572g

Diameter: 10.5cm

Provenance: Ex-Specialist Collection (documented).

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1204842

Description

A rare and high-status late Ming Dynasty bronze tripod censer of lobed "Lotus" form, weighing a remarkable 572g.

For its compact 10.

“

5cm diameter, this weight indicates an incredibly dense, multi-refined alloy—a hallmark of the "sinking bronzes" prized by 17th-century Chinese scholars.

Sandbanks Antiques

fig 1. A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. — fig 1. A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

Date (Circa 1640–1690)

This piece dates to the Transitional Period between the Late Ming (Chongzhen) and Early Qing (Kangxi) dynasties. This attribution is confirmed by:

The Casting Density: Unlike later, thinner 18th/19th-century export pieces, this censer exhibits the massive heft and thick-walled construction of the 17th-century "Golden Age" of bronze revival.

fig 2. A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. — fig 2. A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

Hand-Finished Interior: Photography of the interior reveals original, irregular "chatter marks" and scraping lines. These prove the piece was manually finished on a traditional foot-lathe, consistent with 17th-century workshop practices.

fig 3. A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. — fig 3. A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

Architectural Balance: The "Bridge" handles (qiaoer lu) are taut and perfectly proportioned, a design intended to symbolize a bridge to higher knowledge.

The Colouring & Patina

The censer displays a world-class, multi-layered "Living Patina" that shifts depending on the light:

fig 4. A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. — fig 4. A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

Primary Surface: A deep, velvet-matte "Dark Chocolate" (Zizhan) skin that has bonded to the metal over three centuries.

Underlying Core: Where the light hits the lobes and feet, a rich "Plum-Red" or "Date-Skin" (Zitong) glow emerges. This is natural Cuprite oxidation, a scientific indicator of an exceptionally high copper content in the original 17th-century alloy.

fig 5. A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. — fig 5. A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

The Highlights: At the natural wear-points on the feet and rim, the metal reveals its "noble" core—a warm, buttery Honey-Gold, providing a stunning contrast to the dark, moody exterior.

Condition & Mark

fig 6. A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. — fig 6. A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

The base features a crisp, deep-cast four-character Xuande Mark. This is an "Apocryphal Reverence Mark," placed there by 17th-century master-smiths to honour the historical peak of bronze casting. The piece remains in excellent original condition with no repairs, retaining its "Scholar’s Studio" crust and 300 years of history.

Weight: 572g

Diameter: 10.5cm

Provenance: Ex-Specialist Collection (documented).

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer to the 17th Century.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1204842

About the Dealer

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2025

Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné

Dealer Profile

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A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet.

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Archive I

A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

Archive II

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View II

Archive III

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View III

Archive IV

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View IV

Archive V

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View V

Archive VI

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View VI

Archive VII

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View VII

Archive VIII

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View VIII

Archive IX

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View IX

Archive X

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View X

Archive XI

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View XI

Archive XII

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View XII

Archive XIII

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View XIII

Archive XIV

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View XIV

Archive XV

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View XV

Archive XVI

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View XVI

Archive XVII

A dark bronze tripod censer featuring a lobed lotus body, two raised loop handles, and three short tapered feet. View XVII

A Ming dynasty bronze lotus censer is a ritual and scholarly vessel cast in bronze, designed to burn incense during religious ceremonies or scholarly contemplation. These pieces frequently feature organic motifs, such as lobed lotus petals, and are supported on tripod feet.

Traditional censers were cast using the lost-wax process or multi-piece clay moulds from high-copper bronze alloys. Heavy wall thickness and precise hand-chasing were standard techniques to achieve delicate structural details like loop handles and lobed contours.

Authentic pieces display natural surface oxidisation, age-appropriate patination from handling, and evidence of hand-finishing rather than modern machine polishing. Weight is also an indicator, as historical censers were heavily cast using solid bronze alloys.

A bronze censer functions as a sculptural accent when placed on a library bookshelf, console table, or executive desk. Pairing it with minimalist ceramics or wooden furniture highlights its rich dark metalwork and historical silhouette.

Dust the vessel regularly using a soft, dry lint-free cloth or natural bristle brush. Avoid chemical cleaners, metal polishes, or abrasive materials, as these will permanently strip the protective patina and historical surface character.

Sandbanks Antiques

A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

Sandbanks Antiques

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Sandbanks Antiques

A Rare and High-status Late Ming Dynasty Bronze Tripod Censer of Lobed "Lotus" Form, Heavily Cast (572g)

Sandbanks Antiques

Strictly Vetted Dealers

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The Sustainable Choice

FAQs

What is a Ming dynasty bronze lotus censer?

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