Gilded Censer with Hollowed-out Coiled Dragon
Western Han Dynasty
Bronze.H:19.4cm. The stand takes the form of a coiled dragon,with three claws touching the ground and the fourth pressing its tail.The dragon supports in its mouth a pillar on which the fumigating pot stands.The pot has a deep,carved cavity.On the rim are animatedly carved two tigers and two sheep.The pot and its lid are decorated with an irregular cloud pattern.There is an inner container in which to burn incense.The lid has two layers of carving,and is hollowed out to disperse the smoke.At the top of the censer stands a peacock.(Collection of Shanghai Museum)