Finely cast bronze censer on three cloud-shaped feet. The body is decorated with an elephant on one side, a baku on the other, each on a background of very fine repetitive fretwork, patinated in a rich brown. Handles in the shape of tree branches placed parallel to the body. The bottom is left undecorated, with a seal: Seimin sei (Cast by Seimin).
Japan, Edo period, early 19th century.
The body is topped with a wooden Chinese cover. The original bronze cover is long lost.
H w/o cover 3-1/8 x W 4-1/4; diam. 3-1/2 inches. H with cover 4-1/2 inches.
Handles with some repairs, otherwise very good condition. Wooden cover with some old chips, all in all very good condition
Murata Seimin (1761-1837), bronze sculptor active in Edo, well-known for his fine casting of bronze vessels and animals.
