Incense burner
Category
Ceramics
Date
c. 1830 - c. 1869
Materials
Enamelled porcelain
Measurements
18.5 cm (H)
Place of origin
Hizen province
Order this imageCollection
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
NT 1245705
Caption
Although probably made in Japan, this incense burner is in the shape of the kind of abundantly overgrown trellis seen in 18th-century Chinese art. It was thought to be a butterfly cage by Queen Mary, who gave it to Margaret Greville as a Christmas present in 1920.
Summary
Porcelain incense burner, Japanese, probably mid 19th century. Of domed shape, in the form of a trellis overgrown with vines and gourds, decorated in green, orange, yellow, aubergine and black enamels, on an associated tripod pedestal decorated with lobed panels containing Buddhist lions (shishi) against a diaper-patterned backgound, probably Kutani-type porcelain made in Hizen Province, Japan.
Provenance
Given to Dame Margaret Greville, DBE (1863–1942), by HM Queen Mary (1867–1953), Christmas 1920; bequeathed by Dame Margaret Greville to the National Trust.
