Antique Japanese Patinated Bronze Buddhistic Lion Censer 17th/18th Century

A scarce, high-quality antique Burmese jewel inlaid solid bronze chinthe sculpture. Dating to the late 19th century, likely originating in the Mandalay region of central Burma, the fearsome looking beast depicted in traditional Burmese iconography and important architecture, especially as a pair, the protective temple guardians placed flanking the entrances of Buddhist religious pagodas and monasteries. Burma; circa 1880 PROVENANCE: The estate of Mr. Wesley and Mrs. Suzanne LaFever, Beverly Hills, California. ACQUISITION: We acquired this outstanding example from the reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, Austin, Texas. Fine Estates and Antiques catalog, December 2021 DESCRIPTION: Exquisitely sculpted and cast of heavy, patinated solid bronze, finely detailed and decorated throughout, intricately engraved with scrolling ornamentation and fine detailing work, old nicely aged polished finish developing a warm, mellow patina with highly desirable scattered verdigris, minor inlay losses add to the charming antique character. Stoic in stance, posed at attention proudly squatting back on its haunches, front legs straight, possibly roaring with head up and straight ahead, mouth ajar with teeth and long tongue exposed, ornate armor plating and horned mane, fanciful stylized tail, inset with Myanmar style brilliant colored mirrored glass jewels. BRIEF HISTORY / BACKGROUND: Predating the use of coins for money, brass weights cast in the shape of iconic animals like the Chinthe were commonly used to measure standard quantities of staple items. Chinthe, the Burmese word for lion, while leograph of Chinthe is an artistic highly stylized lion; the rare Southeast Asian Burmese equivalent to Foo Dogs, Japanese Komainu, Tibetan Snow Lion...

A stunning pair of excellent quality bronze Pixiu wealth dragon mythical creatures with visually striking scattered verdigris bluish green patina! Well known in Chinese culture and...

A near pair of antique Southeast Asian Burmese jeweled parcel gilt wooden temple guardian figure carvings. circa 1900 Hand carved in Burma (present day Myanmar) in the late 19th / early 20th century, most likely the Mandalay region, each richly detailed and gilded, adorned with inset green colored mirrored cut glass mosaic inlays, depicting mythical qilin / stylized lion temple guardian, rising on integral red lacquered platform base, Dimensions: (approx) Each: 7" Tall, 2.5" Wide, 4" Deep; A charming pair of small highly decorative table sculptures / shelf statues...

A high quality Qing Dynasty (1636-1912) Chinese bronze brazier censer (today use as an incense burner - cachepot planter - decorative table box) encircled with traditional characters, rising on three ball feet, nicely patinated. Functional and decorative, it's a superb example of antique Asian...

A fantastic Chinese cast bronze censer in the form of two Buddhistic lions play fighting, late Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, China. The censer formed as a pair of Buddhistic li...

A heavy and powerfully cast Japanese bronze model of a shishi or foo lion by Hideyama / Shuzan, Meiji Period, circa 1900, Japan. The dramatic lion, known as a shishi in Japan, is ca...

MAGNIFICENT! BRONZE LION INCENSE BURNER! EXTREMELY RARE! APPROXIMATE DIMENSIONS: 7" Tall x 7" Wide Well cast, standing on all four legs (very rare pose!) while twisting its sin...

This large Chinese bronze censer dates to circa 1860. It is made in three parts, stand, vessel, and lid. The lid has pierced decorative panels with pine trees and a bold Buddhist lion finial for lifting. The censer has lifting handles in the shape of bamboo to each side and again also has panels with pine forests with mythical beasts and side mounts in the form of Buddhist lion mastheads. It is raised on four shaped legs with a beast mask head at the top and sits on the raised and pierced stand. The decoration on this piece is all hand finished with chasing and engraving giving good detail. The censer has a green/brown patina. Circa 1860 Censers are a type of vessel for burning incense. In many cultures burning incense has spiritual and religious connotations which influence the design and decoration of the censer. The lion is one of Buddhism’s most potent symbols. Traditionally the lion is associated with regality, strength and power. It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Buddha who, tradition has it, was a regal prince. As Buddhist priests and monks from India, they brought with them stories of stone Asiatic lions...