A MASSIVE CHINESE GILT BRONZE INCENSE BURNER MODELLED AS A LUDUAN

MING DYNASTY

Standing four-square, the hinged lid formed as the beast's head, baring its teeth with a single curved horn to the forehead, the body and tail with finely detailed hair, the flanks cast in high relief with stylised lingzhi fungus and scrolls, the feet with claws, the base with a later applied Japanese nine character mark, 45cm, 14kg. (2)

Provenance: from the collection of Sir Henry Norman (1858-1939).

Luduan are mythical beasts with rounded bodies and clawed feet. They are believed to have the ability to detect the truth, travel over great distances in a very short time and speak all the languages of the world. Throne-room groups became standardised in the Qing dynasty, and they include a central throne, a screen and usually pairs of elephants with vases mounted on their backs, standing fans, vertical reticulated incense burners as well as luduan-shaped incense burners.