Brûle-parfum

Anonyme

Entre 1736 et 1796
Bronze, Dorure, Email cloisonné
Objet religieux, Brûle-parfum
Donation sous réserve d'usufruit : Brunau, Simone

M.C. 9933 A

From the Song dynasty (960-1279) onwards, historical works such as the Kaogutu, illustrated by small wood engravings, had familiarised scholars with the archaeological vestiges found in Henan and Shaanxi, among other places. Under the Yuan (1279-1368), it became customary to place various vessels with shapes like those of ancient bronzes on altars of various religions. Under the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911), altar ornaments always included five elements: a central incense burner inspired by an ancient vessel, often a tripod (ding), as here, two candlesticks and two flower vases with a flared conical opening, a variation of the drinking cup (gu) of the Shang period (circa 1550-1050 BC). Among the ornaments shown here, these last elements are missing. A good example of this arrangement in situ can be seen in an old photograph taken in the Daxiongbaodian Hall at Tanzhe temple near Beijing. The Uldry collection has a complete set. In their decorative form, these objects belong to the abundant work produced under the Qianlong reign (1736-1796).

Reference(s) : Gilles Béguin, activités du musée Cernuschi, Arts asiatiques, 1997, t.52, p. 134
Helmut Brinker, Albert Lutz, Chinese Cloisonne : The Pierre Uldry Collection, New York, The Asia Society Galleries, 1989, p.53, fig.29, n°267
Gilles Béguin (dir.), Art chinois, Musée Cernuschi, acquisitions 1993-2004, Paris Musées/Editions Findakly, 2005, p. 138