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Collections

Unknown
Censerlate 19th century

Not on view
Polished silver covered jar with globular body, pierced dragon and cloud reticulation, Greek-key bands, lotus-bud finial, and four claw feet
Silver repoussé covered jar on three animal-paw feet, with a globular body featuring intricate openwork scrolling foliage, phoenixes, and a gilt mythical creature head in relief; banded fretwork borders at neck and base; domed lid topped with a lotus-bud finial and small ring handles at the shoulders.
Silver covered jar with globular body raised on four claw feet, densely repoussé-worked with coiling dragons amid scrolling clouds, fretwork border bands, small ring handles at shoulders, and a domed lid topped with a spherical finial.
Repoussé silver vessel with domed lid, standing on three animal-paw feet. Dense scrolling foliage and dragon motifs cover the bulbous body, with a gilt dharma wheel medallion at center. Fretwork border bands at neck and lower body; lotus-bud finial at top.
Metal surface, likely a cymbal or ritual dish, with engraved central medallion featuring a double-spiral motif surrounded by radiating lotus petals and four foliate scroll extensions, worn silver-toned finish with visible surface scratches.
Artist or Maker
Unknown
Title
Censer
Place Made
Tibet
Date Made
late 19th century
Medium
Parcel-gilt silver repoussé
Dimensions
a-b) Height: 8 3/4 in. (22.23 cm); a-b) Diameter: 5 3/4 in. (14.61 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Julian Sands
Accession Number
M.2011.157.2a-b
Classification
Tools and Equipment
Collecting Area
South and Southeast Asian Art
Curatorial Notes

Censers were used on Tibetan altars for the ritualized burning of incense, which is typically made in Tibet of powdered juniper leaves mixed with herbs and fragrances such as sandalwood, saffron, and musk. To increase the dissemination of the incense smoke, the perforated vessels were often swung by chains attached to lugs. See also M.83.26.2a-b and M.83.26.3a-b.

The censer has a globular body supported by three feet in the form of a lion’s paw. It has a short neck with a flared rim. The cover is dome-shaped with an acorn finial. The partially openwork surface is richly adorned with flowering scrolls with geometric borders and a basal band of complex lappets. The primary decoration is a horizontal band around the waist that features
on opposing sides two undulating dragons and two of the Seven Possessions of the Universal Monarch (chakravartin): The Precious Wheel (chakraratna) representing the Buddhist dharma and the wish-fulfilling Precious Jewel (maniratna). The two possessions are highlighted with gilding to emphasize their cultural importance. Around his shoulders is a band with a floral scroll interspersed with auspicious symbols, including a conch, bamboo, leaf, sword, books, scrolls, and thread-crosses (spirit-catchers). The pierced dome is embellished with a dragon and phoenix. On the bottom is an incised crossed vajra (vishvavajra). In the center is a tripartite spinning “wheel of joy” (gankyil) motif, which is similar to the Chinese yin-yang symbol.

Selected Exhibition History
  • Ritual Offerings in Tibetan Art. Saturday, September 13, 2014 - Sunday, October 25, 2015
  • Ritual Offerings in Tibetan Art. Saturday, September 13, 2014 - Sunday, October 25, 2015