#1754 Rare Chinese Ming Dynasty Bronze "Immortals" Censer (1368-1644) **Price on Request**

A large archaic style bronze (copper tin alloy) incense burner on three legs with lion head terminals and with tall flared flange edged handles. The body is decorated in relief with the Eight Daoist Immortals and above them, centrally, on the front is Shou Lao / Shou Xing, the Star God of Longevity, seated on a recumbent deer. This item was probably used on a home or temple altar dedicated to the veneration of ancestors. 

The censer was made in China in the Ming Dynasty, possibly during the late 15th or early 16th Century. Similarly shaped stoneware tripod incense burners, some dated, were made in this period. The wood stand and cover are possibly contemporary with the incense burner. The soapstone lotus finial is carved in Ming dynasty style.

 Condition: the casting is crude with typical minor losses ; additionally the two back facing immortals have been decapitated. 

Height: with stand 32 cm; without stand 23 cm Width: 19.5 cm Weight: without cover and stand 2.36 kg .

明 八仙双耳三足香炉

三足上有狮首，冲天冠双耳。炉身八仙纹饰，八仙之上正中是寿星和他的坐骑白鹿。应为祠堂宗庙祭祖所用。

此炉做于明代，具体时间可能为15世纪末16世纪初。部分有记录的类似形制的炻器三足炉也做于此时期。木座和炉盖可能为同时期所做。炉盖上的寿山石莲花纹钮也为明代风格。

品相：铸造工艺比较粗糙，细微部分有金属脱落导致的细孔。炉身背面两个人物的头部缺失。带座高32厘米，不带座高23厘米。宽19.5厘米。 重：不带座和炉盖，重2.36公斤。