A finely modelled pair of Chinese bronze mandarin duck-form incense censers decorated with vibrant champlevé enamel panels in turquoise, red, yellow and pale blue floral scrollwork. Each bird stands alert with elegantly arched neck and stylised plumage, the wings inset with richly coloured enamel decoration in the Qing dynasty taste.
The heads lift away to reveal hollow interiors where incense would originally have been placed. Smoke escapes through discreet vent openings concealed beneath the wings and through the beak, a clever feature commonly used in figural censers of this type. Such objects were traditionally placed on a scholar’s desk or within the home where incense accompanied reading, tea drinking and quiet contemplation.
The birds are modelled as mandarin ducks (yuanyang), a traditional symbol in Chinese art representing marital harmony, fidelity and partnership. Mandarin ducks are typically depicted in pairs, making them an especially appropriate subject for decorative objects intended for domestic interiors.
These examples are understood to date from the Qing dynasty, likely 19th century and produced in the style of earlier Qianlong period bronzes. A historic label beneath one example records an earlier attribution to the 18th century, Qianlong period (1736–1795).
Provenance
H. & J. Rendell Collection
Dimensions & Weight
Male duck: 26 cm high, 1,332 grams
Female duck: 21 cm high, 1,056 grams
Condition
Good antique condition with attractive aged bronze patina. Evidence of historical use within the interior cavities consistent with their original function as incense burners. The removable heads fit well and the enamel decoration remains well preserved.
