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Incense Burner

1392-1910 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This small incense burner is of a shape associated with incense burners used in Buddhist temples. The bowl is cast in three, namely body, rim and stem. It has a flat, outward-spreading rim, a straight-sided deep bowl, and a trumpet-shaped foot. It has an engraved decoration with a background of small circles. The characters for Yi yan shou nian form part of the decoration. This inscription can be translated as 'May years be lengthened and longevity increased.'


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Cast bronze
Brief description
Met, Korea, vess/cont/holders
Physical description
This small incense burner is of a shape associated with Buddhist temple ritual. The bowl is cast in three: body, rim and stem. It has a flat, outward-spreading rim, straight- sided deep bowl, and a trumpet-shaped foot. There is engraved decoration with a background of small circles. The characters 'Yi yan shou nian' form part of the decoration. Eumo B335/LXXIX. The inscription can be translated as 'may years be lengthened and longevity increased'.

Colour: Brown
Dimensions
  • Height: 14cm
Style
Credit line
Purchased with Art Fund support, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee
Summary
This small incense burner is of a shape associated with incense burners used in Buddhist temples. The bowl is cast in three, namely body, rim and stem. It has a flat, outward-spreading rim, a straight-sided deep bowl, and a trumpet-shaped foot. It has an engraved decoration with a background of small circles. The characters for Yi yan shou nian form part of the decoration. This inscription can be translated as 'May years be lengthened and longevity increased.'
Bibliographic reference
Beth McKillop. Korean Art and Design. London: V&A, 1992. 56.
Collection
Accession number
M.581-1936

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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