Censer - Koro - Bronze - Chimera and Bird Relief

Old Japanese Incense Burner (Kōro) from the Meiji period, late 19th to early 20th century

Object: This is a kōro, a Japanese term for an incensario. These pieces were used in temples, noble houses, and private collections, both in religious rituals and tea ceremonies, or as decorative objects.
• Era: Meiji Period (1868–1912), a time of great cultural and artistic opening of Japan towards the West. Artisans produced works with strong symbolic significance and exquisite technique, many intended for export.
Materials and technique: Made of patinated or gilded bronze, with finely chiseled reliefs.
Main decoration: A chimera (shishi or komainu) at the top, a mythological figure similar to a guardian lion, symbolizing protection against evil spirits.
Bird reliefs on the sides, representing freedom, spirituality, and connection with the sky.

• Symbolic function: The smoke from the incense, as it exits the interior of the kōro, mingles with the presence of the chimera and the birds, creating a dialogue between the earthly and the spiritual. The piece served a practical, aesthetic, and spiritual purpose.
Meiji Style: A fusion of Japanese tradition with Western influences, with great attention to detail and the quality of the reliefs, aiming to impress both the Japanese audience and foreign collectors.

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