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ID #SA1210336
FOR SALE
£65,000
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Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand
Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €76,050     $82,550
£65,000
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
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    Specialising in antique silver, gold boxes, gold coins and objects de vertu. Rare fine-quality imperial chinese porcelain, jades, cloisonné
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Id #SA1210336
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Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

16th century
Description

Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

A Definitive Scholarly Set: The 16th Century Marriage of Metal and Wood.

Offered here is an exceptionally rare and heavy-cast ‘Bridge-Ear’ bronze censer, dating to the Late Ming Dynasty (16th Century). This vessel represents the pinnacle of metallurgical art, preserved as a "contemporary marriage" with its original high-status stand.

Technical Specifications

The 'Bridge-Ear' Bronze Censer:

Weight: 2,649g

Dimensions: 22.2 cm (Maximum span across handles)

Material: High-density "Golden-Base" Bronze Alloy

Acoustics: Crystalline resonance, ringing like a bell

Mark: Expertly hand-chiselled six-character Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi mark

The High-Shouldered Zitan Stand:

Weight: 462g

Height: 5.57 cm

Material: Rare "Gold Star" (Jin Xing) Zitan wood

Preservation: Deep centuries-old compression "wells" from the censer's weight

The Combined Set:

Total Weight: 3,111g

Attribution: Contemporary 16th / 17th - century Marriage

Analysis of the Character Marks (The Mark of the Period)

The base features a six-character Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi mark that provides definitive evidence of a 16th-century origin:

Hand-Chiselled Execution: Macro-inspection reveals the marks were engraved into the cold metal after casting using a sharp burin or chisel.

Calligraphic Vigor: The "muscular" strokes and slightly asymmetric, fluid style are characteristic of Late Ming scholarly workshops, where master calligraphers were commissioned to finish elite vessels by hand.

Authentic Oxidation: The grooves of the characters show deep, undisturbed oxidation and "Dateskin" patina consistent with the rest of the base,

confirming the mark was executed at the time of manufacture 400 years ago, not added later.

Condition Report

Bronze Censer:

Overall State: The vessel is in excellent antique condition with no signs of structural repair, cracks, or thinning of the metal.

Patina: Retains a magnificent, original "Dateskin" (Zao Pi) patina with natural variations in tone and a deep, waxy luster.

Base & Mark: Tripod feet show honest, centuries-old wear to the tips, revealing the high-noble-metal "Golden-Base" alloy. The hand-chiselled mark remains sharp with correct historical calligraphic structure.

Interior: Shows natural evidence of ritual incense use consistent with 400 years of age.

Zitan Stand:

Material Integrity: The stand remains structurally sound with no major cracks or losses.

Surface: Exhibits the deep purple-black patina and "Gold Star" mineral flecks characteristic of aged Zitan.

Historical Evidence: Features deep compression "wells" confirming the censer has rested on this specific stand since the 16th Century.

Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Ming Dynasty Bronze Censer to the 16th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1210336
Description
Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

A Definitive Scholarly Set: The 16th Century Marriage of Metal and Wood.

“
Offered here is an exceptionally rare and heavy-cast ‘Bridge-Ear’ bronze censer, dating to the Late Ming Dynasty (16th Century).
Sandbanks Antiques

This vessel represents the pinnacle of metallurgical art, preserved as a "contemporary marriage" with its original high-status stand.

fig 1. A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
fig 1. Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

Technical Specifications

The 'Bridge-Ear' Bronze Censer:

Weight: 2,649g

Dimensions: 22.2 cm (Maximum span across handles)

Material: High-density "Golden-Base" Bronze Alloy

Acoustics: Crystalline resonance, ringing like a bell

fig 2. A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
fig 2. Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

Mark: Expertly hand-chiselled six-character Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi mark

The High-Shouldered Zitan Stand:

Weight: 462g

Height: 5.57 cm

Material: Rare "Gold Star" (Jin Xing) Zitan wood

Preservation: Deep centuries-old compression "wells" from the censer's weight

fig 3. A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
fig 3. Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

The Combined Set:

Total Weight: 3,111g

Attribution: Contemporary 16th / 17th - century Marriage

Analysis of the Character Marks (The Mark of the Period)

The base features a six-character Da Ming Xuan De Nian Zhi mark that provides definitive evidence of a 16th-century origin:

fig 4. A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
fig 4. Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

Hand-Chiselled Execution: Macro-inspection reveals the marks were engraved into the cold metal after casting using a sharp burin or chisel.

Calligraphic Vigor: The "muscular" strokes and slightly asymmetric, fluid style are characteristic of Late Ming scholarly workshops, where master calligraphers were commissioned to finish elite vessels by hand.

fig 5. A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
fig 5. Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

Authentic Oxidation: The grooves of the characters show deep, undisturbed oxidation and "Dateskin" patina consistent with the rest of the base,

confirming the mark was executed at the time of manufacture 400 years ago, not added later.

fig 6. A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
fig 6. Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

Condition Report

Bronze Censer:

Overall State: The vessel is in excellent antique condition with no signs of structural repair, cracks, or thinning of the metal.

Patina: Retains a magnificent, original "Dateskin" (Zao Pi) patina with natural variations in tone and a deep, waxy luster.

fig 7. A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
fig 7. Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

Base & Mark: Tripod feet show honest, centuries-old wear to the tips, revealing the high-noble-metal "Golden-Base" alloy. The hand-chiselled mark remains sharp with correct historical calligraphic structure.

fig 8. A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
fig 8. Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

Interior: Shows natural evidence of ritual incense use consistent with 400 years of age.

Zitan Stand:

Material Integrity: The stand remains structurally sound with no major cracks or losses.

Surface: Exhibits the deep purple-black patina and "Gold Star" mineral flecks characteristic of aged Zitan.

Historical Evidence: Features deep compression "wells" confirming the censer has rested on this specific stand since the 16th Century.

Provenance: The G S. May Esquire Private Collection, London

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Ming Dynasty Bronze Censer to the 16th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1210336
Sandbanks Antiques
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

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Sandbanks Antiques Profile Page

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A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
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Archive I A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.

Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand

Archive II A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View II
Archive III A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View III
Archive IV A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View IV
Archive V A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View V
Archive VI A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View VI
Archive VII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View VII
Archive VIII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View VIII
Archive IX A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View IX
Archive X A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View X
Archive XI A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XI
Archive XII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XII
Archive XIII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XIII
Archive XIV A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XIV
Archive XV A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XV
Archive XVI A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XVI
Archive XVII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XVII
Archive XVIII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XVIII
Archive XIX A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XIX
Archive XX A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XX
Archive XXI A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXI
Archive XXII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXII
Archive XXIII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXIII
Archive XXIV A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXIV
Archive XXV A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXV
Archive XXVI A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXVI
Archive XXVII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXVII
Archive XXVIII A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXVIII
Archive XXIX A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXIX
Archive XXX A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand. View XXX
Enlarged Archival View
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques
Telephone 07889 139677
Location
Sandbanks
Poole
Dorset
United Kingdom

By appointment only in Poole or London.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified Since Jan 2025
Items For Sale 192
Items Sold 82
Sandbanks Antiques
Sandbanks Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2025
View Dealer Info
Location: Sandbanks, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom, , By appointment only in Poole or London.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/sandbanks
Verified
Jan 2025
For Sale
192
Sold
82
A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
Significant Late Ming 16th / 17th Century Bronze Censer and Contemporary Zitan Stand
Ref: SA1210336
A dark brown patinated bronze censer with flared handles resting on a carved Zitan wooden stand.
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FAQs

A Ming dynasty bronze censer is a cast metal incense vessel produced during the Ming era in China, widely used in scholar studies, ancestral altars, and religious rituals.

Traditional censers were cast from bronze, brass, or copper alloys, often featuring dark surface patination and resting on custom-fitted hardwood bases made from Zitan or Huanghuali.

Authentic pieces generally exhibit heavy, solid casting, natural surface oxidisation, hand-finished handles or legs, and age-appropriate wear to the base and rim rather than artificial chemical distressing.

A bronze censer functions as a focal decorative object when displayed on a sideboard, mantlepiece, or desk alongside books and neutral modern ceramics to highlight its dark metallic texture.

Dust gently using a dry, soft-bristled brush or microfibre cloth, avoid applying harsh chemical polishes that strip historical patina, and keep the object in a climate-controlled environment.
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