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Ming Dynasty Style Chinese Gilt Bronze Buddhist Incense Burner (Xianglu), Monumental Temple Altar Censer (Antique, 100+ Years)
Ming Dynasty Style Chinese Gilt Bronze Buddhist Incense Burner (Xianglu), Monumental Temple Altar Censer (Antique, 100+ Years)
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Ming Dynasty Style Gilt Bronze Buddhist Incense Burner
This object is a large, elaborately carved and gilded Buddhist censer (xianglu), produced in the Ming dynasty tradition and intended for temple or high-status altar use. Rising on a stepped base with three sculptural legs, the vessel combines functional incense burning with pronounced architectural presence.
The body is cast and assembled with deep relief carving across all faces. Panels are populated with auspicious motifs, mythic creatures, and scrolling forms, executed with a density characteristic of late imperial ritual metalwork. Gilded highlights accentuate relief edges and key iconographic zones, creating visual hierarchy rather than uniform brilliance.
The pierced lid is crowned by a sculptural finial in the form of a guardian beast, allowing incense smoke to escape while reinforcing the censer’s symbolic function as a conduit between human and divine realms. Handles and corner elements are treated as independent sculptural forms rather than utilitarian attachments, emphasizing ritual authority over practicality.
Censers of this scale were not domestic objects. They were designed for placement before main icons in temples or large halls, where size, weight, and ornament signaled devotional seriousness and institutional backing. The present example aligns with Ming dynasty aesthetic priorities, where mass, symmetry, and layered ornament conveyed stability and cosmic order.
Condition is consistent with an antique ritual object. Surface wear, softened gilding, and patina reflect age and ritual handling rather than later damage. No modern restoration is assumed without in-hand examination. The censer should be understood as a ceremonial object valued for scale, craftsmanship, and presence.
Key Facts
- Object type: Buddhist ritual incense burner (xianglu)
- Material: Cast metal with gilding
- Scale: Large altar / temple scale 66 x 45 x 45 cm
- Period: Ming dynasty style (antique)
- Customs: HS Code 9706.00 | Country of Origin: China
Shipping & Logistics
- Estimated object weight: –36.7 kg
- Safe packed weight: ~50-65 kg
Confidence & Verification Notes
Dynastic attribution and dating are based on stylistic analysis and seller description and should be treated as probable without in-hand metallurgical examination. This object is best cataloged as a Ming dynasty style ritual incense burner.
Explore the Collection
To browse related sacred works and Buddhist articles curated under the same standards, explore our Buddhist Statues & Sacred Art collection.
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 sacred 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 Buddhist statues, sacred art, and spiritual artifacts. 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.
Curatorial note: Large metal ritual objects require secure packing and vibration control during transport. Gilding wear and patina are consistent with age.
