1-233-798 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

Parcel gilt bronze incense box of magnolia with mark of Hu Wenming, Wanli period, Ming dynasty, China, 1573-1620. A bronze circular incense box. The cover is decorated in gilded relief with a magnolia branch on a Y-diaper ground. The exterior of the sides is also decorated with gilded lotus and prunus sprays in relief against a similar diaper ground. The base has the mark of Hu Wenming in a gilt square cartouche. Hu was one of China's most celebrated bronze casters and his pieces are dated to the Wanli period. The quality of the casting makes it likely that this piece is by the master. This box would have been used to hold powdered incense for lighting sandalwood chips, which provide fragrant smoke.