195 - A TURTLE SHAPED BRONZE INCENSE BURNER SIX DYNASTIES

A TURTLE SHAPED BRONZE INCENSE BURNER SIX DYNASTIES Dimensions: Height 4 cm Wide 7 cm Depth 11 cm Weight: 365 grams A small turtle-shaped incense burner stands on four short legs, its head projecting forward with a boldly modelled beak-like mouth. The domed shell forms a removable cover pierced by irregular openwork curls, allowing smoke to rise through the ornament. A narrow seam follows the junction between cover and body, and the green-blue surface patina settles into the recesses of the casting. In Chinese visual culture, the turtle has long been associated with longevity and endurance. Its rounded shell also lends itself naturally to the construction of a lidded vessel, transforming an animal image into a functional object. When used as an incense burner, the emerging smoke would animate the pierced shell and create a lively contrast between the creature's solid body and the drifting vapour. The strongly projecting head and low, spreading silhouette give this compact object an engaging character.