Incense burner - Olifantenkoppen - Bronze - Gold splashes
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Chinese bronze incense burner with elephant head handles in Xuande style, gold-speck patina, height 6 cm, width 16.5 cm, depth 13 cm, weight 670 g, origin China, in good used condition with signs of aging.
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Description from the seller
Chinese Bronze Incense Burner with Elephant Heads and Gold Spatters - This is a beautiful specimen
Shape & Construction
Body: Globular, wide and shallow — the classic gui form inspired by ritual bronzes from the Zhou Dynasty.
Base: Low, flaring ring foot (quanzu) for stability.
Rim: Wide, flat and smooth — typical for incense burners intended for altar use.
Handles: Elephant heads (象耳, xiàng ěr)
The elephant-head handles are a classic motif in Chinese bronze art.
Elephants symbolize strength, wisdom, happiness and peace (太平有象, "peace under heaven").
The finely cast details — eyes, trunk, curls — indicate high-quality craftsmanship.
This type of handle is characteristic of Xuande-style incense burners (宣德炉).
Patina & Gold Spatters (金斑, jīn bān)
The gold-colored splashes on the brown surface are the most distinctive feature.
This is referred to as "gold-spat patina" (金斑 or 洒金) — a highly valued feature in Chinese bronzes.
Ritual & Decorative Function
Used on Buddhist or Taoist altars for burning incense sticks or pellets.
Also popular as a scholar's object (文房, wénfáng) in literati interiors.
Symbolically: incense smoke connects the earthly world with the divine.
The incense burner is in good used condition with signs of aging. (See photos)
Very finely detailed.
Will be carefully packed and insured for shipping.
This item can be shipped together with other items of mine in this auction so you only pay shipping costs once.
Seller's Story
With more than 25 years of experience, we personally travel through China, Tibet, and Nepal to select authentic devotional art and ritual objects.
Each piece is carefully chosen for its cultural value, craftsmanship, and story.
Fast shipping and professional packaging - Each object is expertly packed to guarantee safe delivery
We always offer combined shipping on our auctions.
Note: You can only combine items within the same auction. If you wish to purchase multiple items from different auctions, pay for one item first and then send us a message so we can reduce the shipping costs on the other item.
Translated by Google TranslateChinese Bronze Incense Burner with Elephant Heads and Gold Spatters - This is a beautiful specimen
Shape & Construction
Body: Globular, wide and shallow — the classic gui form inspired by ritual bronzes from the Zhou Dynasty.
Base: Low, flaring ring foot (quanzu) for stability.
Rim: Wide, flat and smooth — typical for incense burners intended for altar use.
Handles: Elephant heads (象耳, xiàng ěr)
The elephant-head handles are a classic motif in Chinese bronze art.
Elephants symbolize strength, wisdom, happiness and peace (太平有象, "peace under heaven").
The finely cast details — eyes, trunk, curls — indicate high-quality craftsmanship.
This type of handle is characteristic of Xuande-style incense burners (宣德炉).
Patina & Gold Spatters (金斑, jīn bān)
The gold-colored splashes on the brown surface are the most distinctive feature.
This is referred to as "gold-spat patina" (金斑 or 洒金) — a highly valued feature in Chinese bronzes.
Ritual & Decorative Function
Used on Buddhist or Taoist altars for burning incense sticks or pellets.
Also popular as a scholar's object (文房, wénfáng) in literati interiors.
Symbolically: incense smoke connects the earthly world with the divine.
The incense burner is in good used condition with signs of aging. (See photos)
Very finely detailed.
Will be carefully packed and insured for shipping.
This item can be shipped together with other items of mine in this auction so you only pay shipping costs once.
Seller's Story
With more than 25 years of experience, we personally travel through China, Tibet, and Nepal to select authentic devotional art and ritual objects.
Each piece is carefully chosen for its cultural value, craftsmanship, and story.
Fast shipping and professional packaging - Each object is expertly packed to guarantee safe delivery
We always offer combined shipping on our auctions.
Note: You can only combine items within the same auction. If you wish to purchase multiple items from different auctions, pay for one item first and then send us a message so we can reduce the shipping costs on the other item.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Weight
670 g
Model
Olifantenkoppen
Title additional information
Gold splashes
Number of objects
1
Material
Bronze
Country of origin
China
Condition
Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes
Height
6 cm
Width
16.5 cm
Depth
13 cm
Estimated period
1980-1990
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