Cobalt blue Liulí incense burner ‘Taotie’, Han dynasty

Rectangular ritual incense burner made of Liulí ‘琉璃’ in an intense cobalt blue colour. The shape is that of a square-mouthed vessel with a deep, flat body, supported by four cylindrical legs that descend vertically. The upper edge is topped by two opposing U-shaped handles. The decoration features high and low relief zoomorphic ‘Taotie’ masks represented symmetrically with large eyes and a design of intertwined volutes of clouds and mythical creatures, a decorative style characteristic of ritual bronzes. The blue colour has been covered by corrosion and burial patina. Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD).

Size: 17.0 x 13.0 x 15.5 cm

Weight: 1260 g