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ID #SA1231295
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£5,500
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A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand
For sale by Sandbanks Antiques
for sale €6,435     $6,985
£5,500
Sandbanks Antiques

Sandbanks Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2025
Browse dealers 213 items
  • About Us
    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 #SA1231295
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A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand

18th century
Description

A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-Head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand

A magnificent and exceptionally heavy Chinese bronze censer, measuring 5.5 inches in diameter and weighing a substantial 2.74 kg, crafted with thick walls and dense copper alloy designed for the scholar's studio.

​The Body & Handles: The elegant vessel body is flanked by powerfully cast elephant-head handles featuring meticulously detailed ears, wrinkled brows, and trunks curving downward to form robust loop attachments, symbolizing strength, wisdom, and auspicious governance.

​The Lid & Finial: The censer is completed by a custom-turned rich hardwood cover centered by a carved green jadeite/nephrite finial shaped in an organic, bulbous form with natural tonal variations and fine surface detailing.

​The Stand: Accompanied by a matching, intricately pierced carved hardwood stand decorated with flowing ruyi cloud motifs and a central quatrefoil lattice, elevating the complete cabinet presentation.

​Base & Markings: The recessed base features a crisp, four-character rectangular seal mark rendered in traditional script, exhibiting authentic age-appropriate wear and mottled patination within the inner well.

​Condition: Excellent overall condition with a warm, deep chocolate-brown skin, subtle copper flashing on high points, and a stable, well-preserved patination across both the bronze and its matched hardwood and jade elements.

Provenance: The G S May Esquire Private Collection, London

Declaration

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Incense Censer to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1231295
Description
A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-Head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand

A magnificent and exceptionally heavy Chinese bronze censer, measuring 5.5 inches in diameter and weighing a substantial 2.74 kg, crafted with thick walls and dense copper alloy designed for the scholar's studio.

fig 1. A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand.
fig 1. A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand

​The Body & Handles: The elegant vessel body is flanked by powerfully cast elephant-head handles featuring meticulously detailed ears, wrinkled brows, and trunks curving downward to form robust loop attachments, symbolizing strength, wisdom, and auspicious governance.

fig 2. A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand.
fig 2. A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand

​The Lid & Finial: The censer is completed by a custom-turned rich hardwood cover centered by a carved green jadeite/nephrite finial shaped in an organic, bulbous form with natural tonal variations and fine surface detailing.

“
​The Stand: Accompanied by a matching, intricately pierced carved hardwood stand decorated with flowing ruyi cloud motifs and a central quatrefoil lattice, elevating the complete cabinet presentation.
Sandbanks Antiques
fig 3. A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand.
fig 3. A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand

​Base & Markings: The recessed base features a crisp, four-character rectangular seal mark rendered in traditional script, exhibiting authentic age-appropriate wear and mottled patination within the inner well.

fig 4. A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand.
fig 4. A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand

​Condition: Excellent overall condition with a warm, deep chocolate-brown skin, subtle copper flashing on high points, and a stable, well-preserved patination across both the bronze and its matched hardwood and jade elements.

Provenance: The G S May Esquire Private Collection, London

Date of Manufacture

Sandbanks Antiques has dated this Chinese Bronze Incense Censer to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1231295
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 rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand.
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Archive I A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand.

A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand

Archive II A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand. View II
Archive III A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand. View III
Archive IV A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand. View IV
Archive V A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand. View V
Archive VI A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand. View VI
Archive VII A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand. View VII
Archive VIII A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand. View VIII
Archive IX A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand. View IX
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 213
Items Sold 87
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
213
Sold
87
A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand.
A Magnificent Chinese Archaistic Bronze Censer with Elephant-Head Handles, Jade Finial, and Custom Hardwood Stand
Ref: SA1231295
A rounded dark bronze Chinese censer with elephant head handles, topped with a polished wood lid featuring a green jade finial, resting on a carved hardwood stand.
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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectIncense Burner
  • Period18th century
  • StyleChinese Archaistic
  • MaterialBronze, Hardwood, Jade
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsElephant head handles, green jade finial, carved scroll stand

This 18th-century Chinese archaistic bronze censer functions as a scholar's studio incense burner, presented in a gentleman's library style with a dark brown finish. The rounded vessel body possesses thick walls and heavy copper alloy, flanked by cast elephant-head handles with detailed ears, wrinkled brows, and downward-curving trunks forming loop attachments. A custom-turned rich hardwood cover tops the piece, centered by an organic, bulbous green jade finial displaying natural tonal variations and fine surface detailing. The entire ensemble rests on an intricately pierced, carved hardwood stand decorated with flowing ruyi cloud motifs and raised on small cabriole feet. Place this piece on a sideboard top or desk in a home today to hold small items or serve as a decorative study accent. The recessed base contains a crisp, four-character rectangular seal mark in traditional script, accompanied by authentic age-appropriate wear and mottled patination within the inner well. A warm, deep chocolate-brown skin covers the bronze alongside subtle copper flashing on high points, while the matched hardwood and jade elements exhibit a stable, well-preserved patination throughout. The complete assembly measures 14 cm in diameter, combining bronze, hardwood, and jade into a cohesive display object.

FAQs

Chinese archaistic bronze censers are incense vessels inspired by ancient Shang and Zhou dynasty ritual bronzes. Popularised during the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, these censers reflect historical vessel forms and were designed for scholars studios and altar settings.

Traditional censers are cast from bronze using lost-wax or piece-mould methods. They are often paired with fitted hardwood covers and stands crafted from timbers such as zitan or rosewood, topped with carved jade or agate finials.

Evaluation involves examining the depth and uniformity of the natural patina, the casting density, signs of authentic surface oxidisation, and wear patterns on foot points, handles, and base marks.

A bronze censer functions as a decorative focal point on a sideboard, mantelpiece, or bookshelf, contrasting dark bronze metalwork against contemporary neutral backdrops.

Dust the surface regularly with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or chemical metal polishes that strip historical patina, and maintain stable indoor humidity to prevent the carved hardwood stand and lid from cracking.
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