Incense burner, China, Qing Dynasty, Ca. 18th century

Incense burner
China, Qing Dynasty
Ca. 18th century
Diameter 18 cm

Bronze censer of classical form with complex mark on the bottom, which gives the 5th year of the reign of Ming Emperor Xuande (1430), but is likely apocryphal. Bronzes of the Qing Dynasty were often marked with tokens of Xuande because his reign was considered the pinnacle of bronze art, the intention here being not deception but honest admiration.