A PAIR OF BRONZE INCENSE BURNERS IN THE FORM OF MULES AND RIDERS

Ming dynasty, 17th century
China

height: 33.7 cm

The two fully caparisoned mules stride forward, mounted by bearded scholars dressed in full robes. Each carries a child in one raised hand – held up to shoulder height; one scholar also holds a piped musical instrument, and the other a brush and washer. The seated figures are removable at the saddle so that incense can be placed into the mule – the smoke escaping out of the open mouth of each man. The animals are particularly elegant, with long slim legs reminiscent of deer censers that were also made during this period. The saddles each have a baton that is held in place under the mule’s tail by two ropes; the original reins are made of linked chains. These censers would have been used on an altar – as part of the Daoist rituals enacted in temples and private homes.