An elaborate cast glass incense burner in the shape of a mythical beast. The vessel has been cast in two pieces and the extremely detailed representation of the beast highlights...
An elaborate cast glass incense burner in the shape of a mythical beast. The vessel has been cast in two pieces and the extremely detailed representation of the beast highlights the skills of the artisan who produced this vessel. The form of the piece is inspired by contemporary bronze models. During the Qing Dynasty, glass became more widely used and craftsmen started to reinterpret traditional forms using this new material, creating new unexpected results.
Indeed, in the Qing dynasty (1644-1912) glassmaking witnessed a big revival, probably a result of the imperial support, as many ateliers which were working specifically for the palace were established. The creation of these imperial workshops and their openness towards the introduction of western techniques, lead to the flourishing of Chinese glassmaking. Qing glass production was marked by enthusiastic support from the emperor, princes, and high officials and glass objects like the ones presented here were luxury articles. In the Kangxi period (1661-1722, the third emperor of the Qing dynasty) glass imitation of gems reached its peak, with clear glass used in place of rock crystal. Rock crystal was a material treasured by the Chinese people in the same way as they treasured jade and was a symbol of purity