A finely molded Chinese Qingbai glazed porcelain censer with looped handles and architecturally decorative cover.

While Qingbai glazed wares, which was made in Jingdezhen, China, had been in production ever since the 12th century during the Song dynasty, they were usually made for day to day consumption wares. In this rare piece, the Qingbai glazing is applied to a molded pattern blocked object for ritualistic and decorative use.

The hexagonal form is embodied by finely carved floral patterns, finished on top with a cover that resembles the elements of a Chinese temple roof. And at its base, the object is finished with protruding foot which resembles the form of a Chinese mythical beast, ‘Tao Tie’. On each side in between the molded panels are two ears also in the shape of mythical beast with two porcelain rings looped through its opening.