Perfume burner - Bronze

Bronze Patinated Brown Bronze Fragrance Burner in Meiji Japanese Style - Elephant Handles & Bird Decor - H29cm

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Magnificent and important fragrance burner (or vase in the form of a Koro) in heavy bronze with nuanced brown patina from the late 19th century or early 20th century. This East Asian art object stands out for the exceptional casting quality, the richness of its bas-relief decoration, and its imposing presence.

ANALYSIS OF WORK AND DECOR
• The Body (The Belly): The belly features remarkable relief chased work with dynamic detail. A refined naturalistic scene shows birds in flight among flowering branches. The textured background hosts dense geometric motifs of meanders (leiwen), characteristic of archaic bronzes.
• Face A: The raptor and the pine (Matsuba)
o This face centers on a decor evoking power and longevity, classic themes of Sino-Japanese art.
• The main subject: A raptor (likely a falcon or goshawk) is proudly perched on a twisted pine branch. The bird’s plumage and the rough texture of the bark reflect meticulous attention to detail.
• The surrounding decor: The bird faces a second, smaller bird in flight. The scene emerges from a textured background of traditional geometric patterns and sinuous lines suggesting stylized hills or clouds.
• Face B: The songbirds at the water’s edge
By rotating the piece, the second face reveals a softer and more dynamic scene focused on aquatic and springtime fauna.
• The pair of birds: Two small songbirds (or swallows) are seen whirling above the waters (perfectly depicted in IMG_20260608_145157.jpg). One seems to dive downward while the other is captured mid-flight, wings spread.
• The flora: The two birds surround a splendid blooming flower (likely a peony or lotus) set on a winding stem.
• The water element: The bottom of this section (shown in close-up photos IMG_20260608_145050_2.jpg and IMG_20260608_145042_2.jpg) is entirely engraved with concentric circles and fluid wavy lines, conveying the motion of ripples and waves on the water’s surface.
• The Handles: On either side, the fragrance burner is flanked by two superb anthropomorphic or rather zoomorphic handles in the form of stylized elephant heads, whose trunks form the curved attachment.
• The Pedestal and Base: The whole rests on a commanding integrated tripod. The curved feet are topped with fiercely carved mythological monster masks or Taotie in relief. These three feet stand stably on a wide fixed circular base, itself fully engraved with wave and spiral motifs of great finesse.
• Mark: No seal, mark, or signature on the base (see minimalist base).

ORIGIN, STYLE AND PROVENANCE
• Origin / Style: Japan (Meiji Period, 1868-1912). The naturalistic treatment of birds and the elephant-shaped handles strongly recall the refinement of Meiji export bronzes from Yokohama or Tokyo, while drawing inspiration from ancient Chinese ritual forms.
• Provenance: This object comes from the famous Tongres Antiquities Market (Belgium). According to transmission information, it originally came from the private collection of a former Belgian ambassador to Japan (likely connected to the diplomatic lineage of Léon le Maire de Warzée d Hermalle, a Belgian diplomat active in Asia in the early 20th century). A prestigious provenance attesting to its authentic importation of the period.

DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT
• Height: 29 cm
• Width (max across the handles): 21 cm
• Depth: 18 cm
• Net weight: 2.760 kg (Very dense and heavy bronze)

CONDITION
• Status: Excellent condition.
• Details: The bronze has a deep, harmonious original patina. No restoration or structural issues to note.
• Important note: The original upper lid is missing.