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Antique Japanese Bronze Koro Censer
Incense Burner 香爐
Archaic Lion Head Handles
Circa: Meiji, 19th Century, and earlier
H 10 in. (25cm), W 14 in. (36cm), D 11.5 in. (29cm)
Condition: wood pedestal shipping only in US Ground!
This finely cast heavy bronze koro is an awe-inspiring testament to traditional Japanese metalwork. It features a voluminous, gracefully bulbous body that tapers upward to a broad, flaring flat rim. It rests with majesty upon an elevated circular foot encircled by dynamic, swirling ribbon motifs. Two robust lion-head loop handles anchor the elegant silhouette, and frame a lavishly ornamented surface with meticulous, hand-chased designs. This rich, smooth bronze surface is elevated by four magnificent, low-relief repoussé medallions, each offering a masterful narrative of the natural and mythical worlds: a fierce tiger prowling stealthily through a dense bamboo thicket, a dynamic Shishi lion hovering majestically above craggy terrain, an idyllic vignette of playful goats, and a tranquil scene graced by wandering deer. Enveloped in a sumptuously smooth, natural patina mottled with rich, deep copper-brown oxidation, the vessel still holds traces of incense ash within its interior, quietly whispering of its cultural and ceremonial past.
*Authenticity Guaranteed. BuddhaMuseum specializes in temples and family-worshipped Buddhist arts. We guarantee that all artifacts are genuine and as described. It is our policy never to deliberately list fakes as genuine.
