Bronze ikebana bowl or incense burner with archaic-style decoration

Description:

Japan or China, c. 18th century
L. 26,5 cm
An oval, slightly thick-walled cast bowl resting on three small feet, sculpted at one end into awith curly hair, flamed ears and striking features. The body features a relief decoration of archaic-style clouds and scrollwork in the style of Chinese bronzes from the Shang/Zhou period. Dark brown-black age patina, with partial traces of verdigris on the underside. Underside bears an old, handwritten collection/ inventory number.
From an old private collection in southern Germany, collected since the 1980s - Minor signs of age, very slightly corroded