J.J. Lally & Co., Oriental Art / New York City, New York

37.
A YINGQING GLAZED PORCELAIN CENSER AND FU LION COVER

Song Dynasty (A.D. 960–1279)

the cylindrical receptacle applied with four masks in high relief around the plain straight sides, raised on a spreading base carved with overlapping petal-tips supported on ten triangular feet with stepped sides, and with a wide flat rim forming a platform around the mouth, the high cover in the form of a hollow-moulded snarling fu lion wearing a collar of bells and tassels, shown seated with one paw resting on a ‘brocade’ ball, with a bushy mane and with a high curly tail rising at its back, on a flanged circular pedestal with apertures at the side to provide a draft to draw the incense smoke up through the hollow body of the lion and out the lion’s open jaws, the translucent glaze of pale bluish tone pooling to bright aquamarine-blue in the recesses, the base covered with a very similar glaze of lighter tone, the underside partially unglazed revealing the fine white porcelain and showing a dry brownish ring left by the kiln support in the firing.

Height 6 inches (15.2 cm)

宋  影青獅蓋薰爐  高 13.5 厘米