{"product_id":"edo-bronze-dragon-tripod-ritual-vessel","title":"Brasero trípode de bronce de finales del período Edo, rodeado por un dragón esculpido, recipiente japonés ritual para incienso, 20.9 cm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"jp-product\" data-world=\"Sacred Arts\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-lede\"\u003eA fully sculpted dragon climbs this late Edo bronze and seizes the edge of the bowl, its scales chased so sharply they seem able to pierce the hand. Unsigned and near-mint for its age, it is a statement object of bravura casting, made for the tokonoma rather than daily use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cast bronze ritual vessel is dominated by a fully sculpted dragon, rendered in dramatic high relief as it coils upward to grasp the rim of the bowl. Raised on a tripod base with a removable bowl, it served as a censer and sculptural incense implement for tea ceremony display, the scholar's studio or altar presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Edo-period material culture the dragon (龍) embodies authority and cosmic power, control over water, rain and agricultural abundance, protection against fire and calamity, and a visual metaphor for enlightened vigilance. Its three-dimensional emergence from the vessel is especially significant: rather than surface decoration, it becomes the structural and symbolic spine of the object, turning a functional form into a sculptural proclamation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sharply articulated scales, finished so keenly they appear sharp enough to pierce the hand, reflect a late Edo shift toward hyper-realism and bravura craftsmanship, likely intended to impress elite patrons and connoisseurs. The tripod base anchors the object in ritual lineage, referencing ancient Chinese bronze forms while asserting a distinctly Japanese sculptural dynamism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy the late Edo period bronze artisans were increasingly producing display-oriented masterpieces rather than purely utilitarian ritual objects, commissioned by wealthy merchants, literati and temple patrons for their technical virtuosity, symbolic literacy and visual impact in a tokonoma or scholar's alcove. This vessel belongs squarely to that tradition: a statement object rather than a common censer, of a kind more often met in institutional collections and advanced private holdings, for collectors of Japanese metalwork, dragon iconography and Edo-period ritual objects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"jp-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late Edo period (circa late 18th – early 19th century)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cast bronze with naturally developed dark patina\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Height approx. 20.9 cm · Width approx. 15.4 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 2,932 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-relief sculptural modeling; incised and chased surface decoration; hand-finished scales, claws, horns and whiskers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eForm:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tripod base, removable bowl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unsigned\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBox:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fitted wooden tomobako; inscription authorship not independently verified\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExceptional: effectively near-mint for its age, with no visible losses that detract from visual or structural integrity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnly minimal, age-appropriate surface wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo structural damage; no repairs observed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSurface patina intact and aesthetically coherent, consistent with museum-collection grade preservation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnsigned; the late Edo attribution aligns with material, technique and stylistic indicators, with no conflicting evidence observed, and the inscription on the fitted wooden tomobako has not been independently verified. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery from Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacked by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our \u003ca href=\"\/es\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003epublished policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-closing\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/japonista-layaway-privilege-program\"\u003eLayaway Privilege™\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinue browsing: \u003ca href=\"\/es\/collections\/butsudan-japanese-altars-religious-objects\"\u003eButsudan \u0026amp; Altars\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/es\/collections\/japanese-okimono-figurines-statues\"\u003eOkimono\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-related\"\u003eRelated pieces: \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/meiji-bronze-boar-incense-burner-sentoku\"\u003eMeiji bronze boar incense burner\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/bizen-shishi-incense-burner-guardian-lion-koro-15cm\"\u003eBizen ware shishi incense burner\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/es\/products\/butsudan-traditional-gold-toned-altar-cabinet-156cm\"\u003eLarge gold-toned butsudan altar cabinet\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-cta\" data-world=\"Sacred Arts\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-cta-eyebrow\"\u003eTemple to Home\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMonumental statues, zushi shrines and altars travel crated and insured through our Museum-Grade Logistics Suite™. Seeking a particular deity or school? The Hunting Salon™ searches Japan for it. \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/museum-grade-logistics-suite%E2%84%A2\"\u003eArrange crating and freight →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-search\"\u003eCollectors also search: edo bronze dragon censer · japanese dragon incense burner · bronze tripod censer antique · dragon wrapped bronze vessel · late edo metalwork · japanese bronze koro dragon · tokonoma bronze censer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Japonista","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51918358479141,"sku":null,"price":2680.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/8829\/6229\/files\/EdoPeriodBronzeDragon-WrappedVessel_TripodForm_10.jpg?v=1769009226","url":"https:\/\/japonista.com\/es\/products\/edo-bronze-dragon-tripod-ritual-vessel","provider":"Japonista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}