Censer - Bronze - Figural Censer with Boy
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Selected by Sarah Le Helley
Studied Asian art and art market management; researched art in Taipei; worked in auctions.
Estimate € 1,500 - € 1,800
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Bronze figural censer in Qing Dynasty style (c.1750–1800), depicting a standing tongzi boy supporting a large sack-form vessel, with dark patina, height 36 cm, provenance private collection.
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Description from the seller
Large Chinese Bronze Censer with Standing Boy (Tongzi)
A finely cast Chinese bronze figural censer, Qing dynasty (18th–19th century), modelled as a standing boy (tongzi) supporting a large sack-form vessel above his head. The youthful figure is shown in lively contrapposto, one leg slightly bent, his head gently tilted to the side, with a serene and playful expression.
The boy wears a short robe finely decorated with incised floral and geometric motifs, tied at the waist with a sash and falling in softly modelled folds. The facial features are delicately rendered, with almond-shaped eyes, a subtle smile, and stylised hair arranged in small locks, conveying a strong sense of charm and movement typical of Qing figural bronzes.
The vessel takes the form of a bulging sack with a flaring, irregular rim, decorated in relief with tied rope motifs and auspicious emblems. The reverse of the sack is pierced, indicating that the object was conceived as a censer. The iconography of the boy figure is traditionally associated with prosperity, abundance, and good fortune.
The bronze is mounted on a separately cast shaped stand with scrolling feet, providing stability and visual balance. The surface displays a rich, dark patina with natural wear consistent with age, enhancing the sculptural details.
Period: Qing dynasty, 18th–19th century
Material: Bronze
Height: 36 cm
Provenance: Old private collection, The Netherlands.
Technical note:
The bronze was manufactured using a traditional multi-part casting technique. The figural element and the stand were cast separately and joined using an internal iron reinforcement system. Inside the base is a heavy circular iron plate, from which an iron pin originally extended upward to secure the bronze figure. The pin is now partially corroded and reduced in thickness due to age-related oxidation, which is consistent with historical construction methods and prolonged natural aging. This internal iron armature was intended to provide stability and structural strength and was never meant to be visible.
Condition
The bronze is in overall good condition, consistent with age and use.
-The surface displays natural wear and patina, with minor rubbing and surface irregularities commensurate with age.
-
The figural bronze and the stand are structurally intact.
-The figure is attached to the stand using an original internal iron reinforcement system. The iron pin, which originally secured the figure to the internal iron plate within the base, is now partially corroded and reduced in thickness, with some loss due to oxidation over time.
-This corrosion is age-related and typical for historic iron components used internally in Qing-period bronzes.
-The bronze itself shows no structural cracks related to this feature.
-The underside shows oxidation and wear consistent with prolonged age.
-Minor surface irregularities and casting flaws may be present, as expected in hand-cast bronzes of this period.
Overall, the condition is stable and appropriate for a Qing dynasty bronze of this type and size.
Seller's Story
Becker Antiques (Established 1966)
Founded in 1966 by Jan Simon Becker, Becker Antiques is one of the most respected and established dealers in Asian art in the Netherlands. Our gallery is housed in a stunning five-storey mansion built in 1891, located in Amsterdam’s prestigious Museum Quarter (Oud-Zuid), just minutes from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the renowned Royal Concert Hall, “Koninklijk Concertgebouw.”
For nearly 60 years, we have specialized in high-quality and fully authentic works of art from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other classical cultures. Our main areas of expertise include:
Han–Ming dynasty pottery and tomb figures
Chinese bronzes, Buddhist sculptures, and ritual objects
Stone and wooden sculptures from Asia
Japanese and Southeast Asian artworks
Qing dynasty furniture and scholar’s items
Every object we offer is carefully selected for authenticity, originality, and historical importance. All items are guaranteed to be as described, supported by decades of specialist knowledge and connoisseurship.
Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, private collectors, and dealers worldwide. We take pride in offering not only genuine works of art, but also the integrity, expertise, and transparency that have defined our gallery for almost six decades.
For any questions, we are always happy to assist.
Legal Notice – Intellectual Property & Authenticity
All descriptions, texts, and seller information provided under the Becker Antiques profile on Catawiki constitute original intellectual property.
No part of these descriptions or seller statements may be copied, reproduced, or adapted—whether in whole or in part—without prior written permission from Becker Antiques.
Becker Antiques is the sole author and copyright holder of all seller texts used in our listings. Unauthorized use or imitation of our content, structure, or professional statements may constitute infringement under EU copyright law and may be reported to Catawiki as a violation of seller terms and misleading commercial practice.
All objects offered by Becker Antiques are guaranteed to be authentic and as described. We do not sell assembled, altered, or modern reproductions unless explicitly stated.
Large Chinese Bronze Censer with Standing Boy (Tongzi)
A finely cast Chinese bronze figural censer, Qing dynasty (18th–19th century), modelled as a standing boy (tongzi) supporting a large sack-form vessel above his head. The youthful figure is shown in lively contrapposto, one leg slightly bent, his head gently tilted to the side, with a serene and playful expression.
The boy wears a short robe finely decorated with incised floral and geometric motifs, tied at the waist with a sash and falling in softly modelled folds. The facial features are delicately rendered, with almond-shaped eyes, a subtle smile, and stylised hair arranged in small locks, conveying a strong sense of charm and movement typical of Qing figural bronzes.
The vessel takes the form of a bulging sack with a flaring, irregular rim, decorated in relief with tied rope motifs and auspicious emblems. The reverse of the sack is pierced, indicating that the object was conceived as a censer. The iconography of the boy figure is traditionally associated with prosperity, abundance, and good fortune.
The bronze is mounted on a separately cast shaped stand with scrolling feet, providing stability and visual balance. The surface displays a rich, dark patina with natural wear consistent with age, enhancing the sculptural details.
Period: Qing dynasty, 18th–19th century
Material: Bronze
Height: 36 cm
Provenance: Old private collection, The Netherlands.
Technical note:
The bronze was manufactured using a traditional multi-part casting technique. The figural element and the stand were cast separately and joined using an internal iron reinforcement system. Inside the base is a heavy circular iron plate, from which an iron pin originally extended upward to secure the bronze figure. The pin is now partially corroded and reduced in thickness due to age-related oxidation, which is consistent with historical construction methods and prolonged natural aging. This internal iron armature was intended to provide stability and structural strength and was never meant to be visible.
Condition
The bronze is in overall good condition, consistent with age and use.
-The surface displays natural wear and patina, with minor rubbing and surface irregularities commensurate with age.
-
The figural bronze and the stand are structurally intact.
-The figure is attached to the stand using an original internal iron reinforcement system. The iron pin, which originally secured the figure to the internal iron plate within the base, is now partially corroded and reduced in thickness, with some loss due to oxidation over time.
-This corrosion is age-related and typical for historic iron components used internally in Qing-period bronzes.
-The bronze itself shows no structural cracks related to this feature.
-The underside shows oxidation and wear consistent with prolonged age.
-Minor surface irregularities and casting flaws may be present, as expected in hand-cast bronzes of this period.
Overall, the condition is stable and appropriate for a Qing dynasty bronze of this type and size.
Seller's Story
Becker Antiques (Established 1966)
Founded in 1966 by Jan Simon Becker, Becker Antiques is one of the most respected and established dealers in Asian art in the Netherlands. Our gallery is housed in a stunning five-storey mansion built in 1891, located in Amsterdam’s prestigious Museum Quarter (Oud-Zuid), just minutes from the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the renowned Royal Concert Hall, “Koninklijk Concertgebouw.”
For nearly 60 years, we have specialized in high-quality and fully authentic works of art from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and other classical cultures. Our main areas of expertise include:
Han–Ming dynasty pottery and tomb figures
Chinese bronzes, Buddhist sculptures, and ritual objects
Stone and wooden sculptures from Asia
Japanese and Southeast Asian artworks
Qing dynasty furniture and scholar’s items
Every object we offer is carefully selected for authenticity, originality, and historical importance. All items are guaranteed to be as described, supported by decades of specialist knowledge and connoisseurship.
Becker Antiques is trusted by museums, private collectors, and dealers worldwide. We take pride in offering not only genuine works of art, but also the integrity, expertise, and transparency that have defined our gallery for almost six decades.
For any questions, we are always happy to assist.
Legal Notice – Intellectual Property & Authenticity
All descriptions, texts, and seller information provided under the Becker Antiques profile on Catawiki constitute original intellectual property.
No part of these descriptions or seller statements may be copied, reproduced, or adapted—whether in whole or in part—without prior written permission from Becker Antiques.
Becker Antiques is the sole author and copyright holder of all seller texts used in our listings. Unauthorized use or imitation of our content, structure, or professional statements may constitute infringement under EU copyright law and may be reported to Catawiki as a violation of seller terms and misleading commercial practice.
All objects offered by Becker Antiques are guaranteed to be authentic and as described. We do not sell assembled, altered, or modern reproductions unless explicitly stated.
Details
Era
1400-1900
Title additional information
Figural Censer with Boy
Style
Antique
Material
Bronze
Country of Origin
China
Dynastic Style/Period
Qing Dynasty (1644-1911)
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Provenance
Private collection
Height
36 cm
Width
0 cm
Depth
0 cm
Sold with stand
No
Estimated period
1750-1800
Sold by
