A BRONZE CENSER

MING DYNASTY, JIAJING SIX-CHARACTER MARK AND OF THE PERIOD (1522-1566)

LENGTH (ACROSS HANDLES): 18.3CM

The censer is of compressed form with a slightly flared mouth and flanked with two handles. The vessel is supported on a splayed foot. A six-character 大明嘉 靖年製 ‘Da Ming Jiajing Nianzhi’ mark is cast in relief on the centre of the base.

Censers of this type from the Ming to the Qing dynasties typically display archaistic Xuande marks cast in relief on the base, however censers with Jiajing marks are exceedingly rare.

明嘉靖 銅雙耳香爐
《大明嘉靖年製》款