11 | Pair of bronze qilin censers on bases Qianlong mark and period, 1736 – 1795 Height: 32 cm | 12 5/8 in Length: 23 cm | 9 in Click image for full-size version The roaring mythical beasts stand foursquare – each attached by pins to irregular bases formed as swirling clouds of lingzhi form. The animals’ heads are held up, the hair on their manes swept vertically – as if in a turbulent atmosphere. Pricked-up ears flank two antlers – above a wide forehead, with bulging eyes and an open mouth exposing fangs. The qilins’ sharply ridged spines lead down to bushy tails that are flicked to one side, and their paws display fully extended claws. Flames lick the legs and haunches of their powerfully modelled bodies. On the back of each beast, an oval opening allows incense smoke to escape, and this is covered by a separate perforated, archaistic bat. Both animals are marked in the middle of their ribbed chest – with a chased four-character Qianlong mark of the period.