An unusual and whimsical censer modeled as a charming foo lion. The figure is well formed, with fine attention to detail. He sports a single small horn on the top of his head, framed by floppy ears. His bulging eyes, separately molded, and loose in the sockets, sit above a ruyi shaped nose and a large mouth set in a wide, goofy grin with streaming banner clenched between his teeth. His forepaw resting on a crystal ball (symbolizing his dominion over the world). His detachable, oversized tail carved out of rosewood.
Signed "Wu Nanshi". The Wu Nanshi mark is found on a relatively small number of yixing wares, mostly hailing from the late Ming to early Qing Dynasties, and almost exclusively on temple pieces from Fujian Province.
Zisha (lit. purple clay), is a type of yixing clay...
Category
Antique Early 18th Century Chinese Qing Ceramics
MaterialsComposition, Crystal