– A traditional Japanese cast-bronze (chūdō) incense burner with three feet (sanzoku) – Classical Sino-Japanese “ding” silhouette – ribbed body, raised neck, three sturdy legs – A working utensil for the way of incense (kōdō) or for Buddhist altar use, and a fine sculptural object in its own right Summary: A handsome cast-bronze Japanese incense burner (kōro), built on three feet in the classical Sino-Japanese ding tradition. The form descends ultimately from ancient Chinese ritual bronzes and remained a favoured silhouette for Japanese incense and altar wares throughout the Edo and modern periods. As a working object for the Japanese way of incense (kōdō), as a domestic altar fitting, and as a small piece of sculptural metalwork, the piece speaks to European collectors of Japanese bronze, Buddhist art and quiet ritual objects. The kōro is one of the most quietly expressive forms in Japanese decorative art. Lit with a single stick of agarwood or sandalwood, it draws a thin thread of fragrant smoke upward, transforming the immediate space around it. In the formal practice of kōdō, dating in its current form to the Muromachi period, the kōro becomes the focal object of an entire ceremony – passed silently from guest to guest as each in turn “listens” to the fragrance. The three-footed silhouette is essentially architectural. Two short legs in front, one behind, supporting a rounded body that rises into a slightly waisted neck – the proportions echo the great archaic bronze tradition of China that Japanese metalworkers absorbed and reinterpreted over a thousand years. The body is finished in the warm patinated tones characteristic of Japanese cast bronze. In a European interior, a kōro of this scale and form lives well on a low table, console, or in a glazed cabinet of Asian decorative art. It pairs naturally with Buddhist sculpture, ceramics, and ink painting, and can be brought into active use simply by adding a stick of agarwood. Condition is described as showing minor surface marking and the soft patina expected of an antique cast bronze. The structure is sound and the feet stable. A quietly powerful small bronze for the serious collector of Japanese metalwork or for any design-conscious admirer of Asian form. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer’s responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese bronze and guarantee this piece’s authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours. 1572