A RARE BRONZE AND REPOUSSÉ CENSER AND COVER

Description:

Sino-Tibetan, 18th/ 19th c.
H. 29 cm, B. 22 cm
The basin of the incense burner features on the front side, in repoussée technique, three tantric deities. The back is decorated with two lucky dragons playing with a pearl. On the two narrow sides, also in repoussée technique, are the heads of two foo dogs, one has a ring through its nose, the other ring is missing. The upper edge of the basin is designed with a meander frieze. Two cubically shaped handles are used to carry the smoker box. The roof-shaped lid features a jewel cluster at the ridge, flanked by two floral finials. Here, too, cartouches depict three deities connected by openwork floral ornaments. The opposite side shows lucky symbols of a cakravartin: the wheel of teaching, the jewel-bearing horse and the elephant, also with a jewel on its back. The two narrow sides of the lid are decorated with lotus flowers, interwoven with floral vine work. Again, the rim of the lid is formed by a meandering border. Bronze, repoussée, 2-piece, 4 feet worked separately and attached, two bells.
Private Rhineland collection, acquired from Lempertz 27 years ago circa
Traces of age