Rare Vintage, Antiques and Art Collector / Curator / Personal Shopper From Japan
Heavy Bronze Chinese Cloisonné-Style Shishi Censer — Guardian Lion Incense Burner with Enamel Floral Dome Lid, 29 cm, 5.3 kg (Old-Collection Decorative Arts)
Heavy Bronze Chinese Cloisonné-Style Shishi Censer — Guardian Lion Incense Burner with Enamel Floral Dome Lid, 29 cm, 5.3 kg (Old-Collection Decorative Arts)
Couldn't load pickup availability
Have a reasonable price in mind? Submit your best offer and our concierge will review it personally.
A heavy, richly ornamented shishi-lidded censer (koro) in bronze-toned metal, distinguished by a cloisonné-style enamel floral dome and a body wrapped in high-relief guardian-beast narrative. It reads as “old-collection” decorative arts: altar-adjacent bronze that performs equally as centerpiece sculpture.
The iconography is protective and auspicious. Shishi are threshold guardians in Japanese culture, while the relief carving and tripod footing echo ritual vessel vocabulary shared across East Asia. The enamelled dome adds color and courtly ornament against the darker patinated metal beneath.
Presence: the listing states substantial weight (approx. 5.3 kg). This physical gravity is part of the collector appeal.
- Size: approx. 29 cm W × 29 cm H
Condition: pre-owned/antique-category object; age-related rubs and tone variation may be present. Confirm lid fit, leg stability, and enamel surface condition (chips/hairlines) via photos.
Authenticity & Stewardship
Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:
- Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
- Iconographic and stylistic verification
- Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
- Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation
Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.
A Note on Stewardship and Collecting
At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.
Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.
Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration
Some of the cultural and heritage works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.
If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.
Concierge Support & Collector Guidance
Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.
For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.
Before Proceeding
We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.
A Closing Note
Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Oriental Cultural Heritage and arts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.
If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.
