How were incense burners used?

These vessels functioned primarily within scholarly studios, temples, and domestic spaces for burning fragrant wood resins and incense sticks. Their presence created an atmosphere conducive to meditation and study. Larger ceremonial examples also served ritual purposes in ancestral halls, where smoke carried offerings upward during traditional observances.

What is an archaistic bronze?

An archaistic bronze is a later piece designed deliberately to evoke the appearance and motifs of ancient ritual vessels. Makers utilised these historical designs to connect modern metalwork with classical antiquity. These objects reinterpreted ancient shapes, such as square ding vessels or mythical mask decorations, for contemporary collectors.

How do I date a bronze censer?

Dating relies upon evaluating the casting style, surface patina, metal composition, and any inscribed reign marks. Stylistic shifts between Ming and Qing periods provide clear structural clues. Associated wooden stands and overall wear patterns further help establish the approximate production era of each piece.

Why do some burners have marks?

Inscriptions and reign marks indicate imperial periods, specific workshops, or studio names intended to honour earlier craftsmanship. Many marks act as marks of respect rather than literal manufacturing dates. Identifying these characters helps collectors understand the intended status and cultural context of the metalwork.

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Chinese Bronze Incense Burner

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A chinese bronze incense burner brings centuries of ritual history and sculptural metalwork directly into the modern interior.

16th century

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A Fine Large Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer, Late 16th-century Ming Dynasty

From Sandbanks Antiques

£9,500

1 MONTH AGO

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16th century

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Late 16th-century Ming Dynasty Bronze Scholar's Censer with "Three Friends of Winter" Relief Panels

From Sandbanks Antiques

£12,500

1 MONTH AGO

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18th century

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

From Sandbanks Antiques

£4,850

2 MONTHS AGO

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18th century

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Fine 18th Century Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer – 'Ya Tang Qing Wan' Scholar’s Studio Mark

From Sandbanks Antiques

£2,850

2 MONTHS AGO

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

17th century

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

From Sandbanks Antiques

£9,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

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18th C Chinese Heavy Brass Tripod Censer Wu Bangzuo 16-Character Mark 1364.5g

18th century

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18th C Chinese Heavy Brass Tripod Censer Wu Bangzuo 16-Character Mark 1364.5g

From Sandbanks Antiques

£2,895

3+ MONTHS AGO

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Large Heavy 18thc Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer C1760 Wu Bangzuo Mark 29cm 4.69kg

18th century

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Large Heavy 18thc Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer C1760 Wu Bangzuo Mark 29cm 4.69kg

From Sandbanks Antiques

£8,950

3+ MONTHS AGO

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17th century

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

From Sandbanks Antiques

£6,750

3+ MONTHS AGO

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17th century

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A Rare Miniature Bronze ‘Elephant Head’ Scholar’s Censer (Xianglu) 17th Century Ming Period

From Sandbanks Antiques

£6,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

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

16th century

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

From Sandbanks Antiques

£65,000

3+ MONTHS AGO

metal

Listings span centuries of metalwork, documenting pieces from sixteenth-century Ming workshops through to late Qing and early twentieth-century creations.

16th century

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A Massively Heavy Cast and Gilt-splashed Chinese Bronze 'Taotie' Mask Handle Censer Period: Late Ming Dynasty, 16th Century

From Sandbanks Antiques

£145,000

3+ MONTHS AGO

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18th century

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A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

From Sandbanks Antiques

£2,850

3+ MONTHS AGO

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Antique Chinese Scholar’s Studio Bronze Censer – Late Qing Dynasty – Rare Heavyweight (163g) Miniature with Fine Patina

19th century

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Antique Chinese Scholar’s Studio Bronze Censer – Late Qing Dynasty – Rare Heavyweight (163g) Miniature with Fine Patina

From Sandbanks Antiques

£425

3+ MONTHS AGO

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

17th century

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

From Sandbanks Antiques

£8,500

3+ MONTHS AGO

metal

19th century

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Fine Large Chinese Bronze Censer,c1880

From Curious Antiques

£395

3+ MONTHS AGO

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17th century

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An Exceptionally Heavy - Cast 'Lion-mask' Bronze Censer (Gui) Ming Dynasty, 17th Century - The Scholars Masterpiece

From Sandbanks Antiques

£25,000

3+ MONTHS AGO

metal

← 1 2 3 →

Chinese Bronze Incense Burner

A Fine Large Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer, Late 16th-century Ming Dynasty

Late 16th-century Ming Dynasty Bronze Scholar's Censer with "Three Friends of Winter" Relief Panels

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

Fine 18th Century Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer – 'Ya Tang Qing Wan' Scholar’s Studio Mark

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

18th C Chinese Heavy Brass Tripod Censer Wu Bangzuo 16-Character Mark 1364.5g

Large Heavy 18thc Chinese Bronze Tripod Censer C1760 Wu Bangzuo Mark 29cm 4.69kg

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

A Rare Miniature Bronze ‘Elephant Head’ Scholar’s Censer (Xianglu) 17th Century Ming Period

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

A Massively Heavy Cast and Gilt-splashed Chinese Bronze 'Taotie' Mask Handle Censer Period: Late Ming Dynasty, 16th Century

A Fine Chinese 18th Century Bronze Bombé Censer Qing Dynasty (Circa 1780)

Antique Chinese Scholar’s Studio Bronze Censer – Late Qing Dynasty – Rare Heavyweight (163g) Miniature with Fine Patina

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

Fine Large Chinese Bronze Censer,c1880

An Exceptionally Heavy - Cast 'Lion-mask' Bronze Censer (Gui) Ming Dynasty, 17th Century - The Scholars Masterpiece

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