How do you style a bronze censer in a modern interior?

Place the censer on an executive desk, coffee table, or bookshelf alongside books and ceramics to create a grounded, scholarly accent.

How should you clean and preserve antique bronze?

Dust gently with a soft microfibre cloth and avoid harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive polishes that could strip the original historical patina.

for sale €11,115 $12,065

£9,500

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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A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th-century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

Name: A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th-century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1219781
Price: 9500 GBP
Availability: InStock

17th century

For Sale by Sandbanks Antiques

Description

A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th Century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

Circa 1680–1720

Offered is a substantial, highly refined bronze censer of traditional circular form, exemplary of the high standards of scholarly objects commissioned during the Late 17 Early 18th century.

Possessing a remarkable heft—weighing an impressive 3,137 grams—this piece serves as a testament to the mastery of traditional sand-casting techniques. The bronze displays a rich, naturally matured chocolate-brown patina, achieved through centuries of careful preservation and use. The vessel features a classic, minimalist silhouette, characterized by its elegant, flared rim and skilfully rendered handles, reflecting the restrained aesthetic prized by the literati for their private studies.

The underside bears an expertly cast six-character mark, consistent with the tradition of honouring the craftsmanship of earlier golden ages. This censer exhibits all the hallmarks of a genuine late 17th early 18th-century antique desk piece, offering a tactile, sensory experience that modern reproductions cannot emulate. Its combination of density, balanced proportion, and honest, untouched surface makes it a standout addition for the discerning collector of Chinese bronzes.

Period: Qing Dynasty, Late 17th Century Early 18th Century

Circa 1680–1720

Dimensions: 6 inches (diameter) × 2.5 inches (height)

Weight: 3,137 grams

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

Condition: Good, with an untouched, naturally aged patina consistent with scholarly use.

Declaration

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1219781

Description

A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th Century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

Circa 1680–1720

“

Offered is a substantial, highly refined bronze censer of traditional circular form, exemplary of the high standards of scholarly objects commissioned during the Late 17 Early 18th century.

Sandbanks Antiques

fig 1. A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. — fig 1. A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th-century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

Possessing a remarkable heft—weighing an impressive 3,137 grams—this piece serves as a testament to the mastery of traditional sand-casting techniques. The bronze displays a rich, naturally matured chocolate-brown patina, achieved through centuries of careful preservation and use. The vessel features a classic, minimalist silhouette, characterized by its elegant, flared rim and skilfully rendered handles, reflecting the restrained aesthetic prized by the literati for their private studies.

fig 2. A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. — fig 2. A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th-century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

The underside bears an expertly cast six-character mark, consistent with the tradition of honouring the craftsmanship of earlier golden ages. This censer exhibits all the hallmarks of a genuine late 17th early 18th-century antique desk piece, offering a tactile, sensory experience that modern reproductions cannot emulate. Its combination of density, balanced proportion, and honest, untouched surface makes it a standout addition for the discerning collector of Chinese bronzes.

fig 3. A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. — fig 3. A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th-century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

Period: Qing Dynasty, Late 17th Century Early 18th Century

Circa 1680–1720

Dimensions: 6 inches (diameter) × 2.5 inches (height)

Weight: 3,137 grams

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

Condition: Good, with an untouched, naturally aged patina consistent with scholarly use.

Date of Manufacture

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

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1219781

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

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

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A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles.

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Archive I

A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th-Century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

Archive II

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View II

Archive III

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View III

Archive IV

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View IV

Archive V

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View V

Archive VI

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View VI

Archive VII

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View VII

Archive VIII

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View VIII

Archive IX

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View IX

Archive X

A heavy dark brown cast bronze incense burner featuring a low compressed circular form decorated with relief beast mask handles. View X

A scholars bronze censer is a heavy cast metal vessel historically used in East Asia for burning incense, favoured by literati for study rooms and ritual practices during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Traditional bronze censers were created using lost-wax casting techniques, resulting in dense cast bronze alloy vessels that were often hand-chased with relief masks or handles.

Authentic historical censers typically display natural age wear, dark original oxidisation, cast or incised reign marks on the base, and substantial weight due to high metal density.

Sandbanks Antiques

A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th-century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

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Sandbanks Antiques

A Fine and Exceptionally Heavy Late 17th Early 18th-century Scholar’s Bronze Censer (3,137g)

Visitors also looked at these ⇣

A Rare and Heavy Late Ming Bronze 'Taotie' Mask Censer, 17th Century

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An Important 18th-century Bronze Incense Burner with Xuande Seal Mark

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Sandbanks Antiques

Strictly Vetted Dealers

Secure Transit

The Sustainable Choice

FAQs

What is a Chinese scholars bronze censer?

How were antique bronze censers crafted?

How can you identify authentic antique bronze censers?

How do you style a bronze censer in a modern interior?

How should you clean and preserve antique bronze?

Add keywords to the filter

Price

Era

Movements

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Online Payments

Categories