Chinese Covered Incense Burner, Qing Dynasty

The Qing Dynasty followed immediately after the Ming. Some say it was the most successful of all the Chinese dynasties. The Qing dynasty was founded by the Aisin Gioro family of the Manchus. Despite that the capital Beijing had fallen into the hands of the Manchus, southern China was not completely under their control before 1683. The resistance continued under a number of Ming dynasty princes and because of the strong loyalty towards the Ming, the Qing court was not able to order any "Imperial" porcelain from Jingdezhen in the southern Jiangxi province. It was the "transitional period" when some remarkable good quality pieces were made for Scholars and Mandarins, and some for export to Japan and Europe via the Dutch East India Company. Decorated in a spontaneous, naturalistic style, the subjects often taken from book illustrations and prints. A vertical cloud often occurs as a divider in the decoration. Borders of thin lines incised near the top and foot rims and a clear blue color on a white paste are characteristic features.

An incense burner is a vessel designed to hold and burn incense, which is a substance that emits a fragrant aroma when burned. Incense burners come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, ranging from simple to ornate designs. They are commonly used in religious ceremonies, spiritual practices, aromatherapy, meditation, and for simply creating a pleasant atmosphere in homes or other spaces. The basic design of an incense burner typically includes a base or dish to catch ash and debris, a central area or holder where the incense stick or cone is placed, and often, decorative elements such as carvings, engravings, or embellishments. Some incense burners are designed to hold multiple incense sticks or cones simultaneously.