Censer
Category
Brassware
Date
1800 - 1900
Materials
bronze
Measurements
360 mm (H); 260 mm (W); 110 mm (D)
Order this imageCollection
Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire
NT 107332.2
Summary
Body for a Chinese incense burner in the shape of a kylin. The kylin is a mythical animal that appeared in one of Confucius' dreams. It has the head of a dragon, the body of a deer, the legs of a horse and the tail of a lion. It is a lucky animal and can bestow scholarship. 'A brass group of a Taoist Immortal (Pa Hsien) on a dragon' (Christie's entry)
Provenance
Purchased in 1986 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from Francis Curzon, 3rd Viscount Scarsdale (1924-2000). Gifted to the National Trust in 1987 by the National Heritage Memorial Fund.