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
Antique ID Number (AIDN): SA1210336
Dateline of this antique is 16th Century
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