Vintage Chinese Bronze Qilin Luduan Mythical Beast Incense Burner Censer

USD 209.00

Condition: Very good antique/vintage condition with natural patina, surface wear, oxidation and extensive reddish-brown residual coloration. Substantially hollow interior with visible construction features and ledges. Localized magnetic response along center seam. No cleaning or polishing. See all photos.

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Description

View Vintage Chinese Bronze Qilin Luduan Mythical Beast Incense Burner Censer with current marketplace pricing, condition, product images and item details. Dimensions: 4.20"L x 2.36"W x 4.46"H Weight: 13.4 oz Unusual Chinese bronze mythical beast, identified as a Qilin or related Luduan, with construction strongly consistent with a functional incense burner/censer. Substantially hollow, with an open mouth communicating with the interior cavity and internal ledges that may have supported an original incense insert or grate. Extensive reddish-brown coloration remains across corresponding areas and may represent remnants of an original decorative finish. Exact age and origin are unconfirmed. No maker's or country-of-origin mark found. Please study all photos. * { margin:0; padding:0; box-sizing:border-box; } .listing-container{ max-width:1000px; margin:0 auto; background:#ffffff; font-family:'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.6; } .header{ background:linear-gradient(135deg, #871024 0%, #a81c38 100%); padding:50px 20px; text-align:center; } .header h1{ color:#ffffff; font-size:28px; font-weight:300; letter-spacing:0.5px; line-height:1.4; margin-bottom:15px; } .header-divider{ width:80px; height:2px; background:rgba(255,255,255,0.5); margin:0 auto; } .logo-section{ text-align:center; padding:40px 20px; background:#f8f9fa; border-bottom:1px solid #e9ecef; } .logo-section img{ width:120px; height:auto; opacity:0.9; } .content-section{ padding:50px 30px; } .description{ font-size:16px; line-height:1.8; color:#2c3e50; margin-bottom:30px; } .description p{ margin-bottom:20px; } .description strong{ color:#283055; font-weight:600; } .specs-section{ background:#f8f9fa; padding:40px 30px; border-top:3px solid #871024; border-bottom:3px solid #871024; } .specs-title{ font-size:22px; color:#283055; font-weight:300; margin-bottom:25px; text-align:center; letter-spacing:1px; } .specs-grid{ display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; gap:20px; max-width:600px; margin:0 auto; } .spec-item{ background:#ffffff; padding:20px; border-radius:4px; border-left:4px solid #871024; flex:1 1 250px; min-width:250px; } .spec-label{ font-size:12px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:1px; color:#871024; font-weight:600; margin-bottom:8px; } .spec-value{ font-size:16px; color:#2c3e50; } .condition-section{ padding:40px 30px; background:#ffffff; } .condition-title{ font-size:20px; color:#283055; font-weight:300; margin-bottom:20px; text-align:center; } .condition-content{ max-width:800px; margin:0 auto; font-size:15px; line-height:1.8; color:#2c3e50; } .condition-content p{ margin-bottom:18px; } .condition-content strong{ color:#283055; font-weight:600; } .shipping-section{ background:#283055; color:#ffffff; padding:30px 30px; text-align:center; } .shipping-icon{ font-size:24px; margin-bottom:15px; } .shipping-section p{ font-size:15px; line-height:1.8; max-width:700px; margin:0 auto; } .contact-section{ padding:40px 30px; background:#f8f9fa; text-align:center; } .contact-title{ font-size:20px; color:#283055; font-weight:300; margin-bottom:15px; } .contact-text{ font-size:15px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.8; max-width:600px; margin:0 auto; } .footer{ background:#871024; color:#ffffff; padding:30px 30px; text-align:center; } .footer-content{ font-size:13px; margin-bottom:20px; } .disclaimer{ background:rgba(0,0,0,0.2); padding:20px; border-radius:4px; margin-top:20px; } .disclaimer-title{ font-weight:600; margin-bottom:10px; font-size:14px; } .disclaimer-text{ font-size:12px; line-height:1.6; opacity:0.9; } @media (max-width:768px){ .header h1{ font-size:22px; } .content-section,.specs-section,.condition-section,.shipping-section,.contact-section{ padding:30px 20px; } .logo-section img{ width:100px; } .spec-item{ flex:1 1 100%; min-width:0; } } Vintage Chinese Bronze Qilin Luduan Mythical Beast  Incense Burner Censer Rare and unusually constructed Chinese bronze mythical-beast incense burner, modeled as a Qilin or closely related Luduan-type auspicious creature. This striking sculpture combines highly detailed mythical-beast modeling with construction characteristics strongly consistent with a functional Chinese incense burner or censer . The figure is substantially hollow, with a large open mouth that communicates with the hollow head, neck, and body. The underside provides access to the interior, where narrow internal ledges are present. These features suggest that the interior may originally have accommodated a removable incense support, grate, or related component. This interpretation is supported by documented Chinese Qilin and Luduan censers. Sotheby's describes Luduan-form censers as hollow vessels specifically made so incense smoke could emerge through the beast's mouth, while Christie's documents Qilin-form censers with hollow bodies and open mouths. The sculpture is richly modeled with a dragon-like head, prominent brow, horns/crest, open jaws with teeth, elaborate mane, scaled body, openwork decorative elements, four legs, and a particularly dramatic curled tail. Surface Decoration The surface retains extensive reddish-brown coloration appearing repeatedly across corresponding areas of the sculpture , including the body, head, decorative elements, legs, and tail. The distribution is consistent with the possibility of remnants of an original painted, lacquered, or otherwise decorative finish, although copper-rich alloy exposure and oxidation cannot be completely excluded. No attempt has been made to clean, polish, or remove these surface remnants. Decorated Qilin and Luduan censers are well documented, including examples with gilding and other contrasting surface treatments. Christie's documents a Qilin incense burner embellished with gilding and multiple colored materials, while Sotheby's documents parcel-gilt Luduan censers. Construction A strong magnet produces only localized attraction along a narrow longitudinal area associated with the central seam. The remainder of the sculpture is essentially non-magnetic. There is also a pronounced irregular surface discontinuity/separation visible around portions of the hollow interior. The exact cause of this feature has not been determined and is shown clearly in the photographs. No maker's mark, country-of-origin mark, or documented provenance has been found. The exact age and date of manufacture have not been established. This is an unusual and highly displayable example for collectors of Chinese bronzes, Qilin, Luduan, Asian mythical beasts, and functional incense vessels. Dickson Antiquities At Dickson Antiquities, we specialize in unusual antiques, collectibles, and decorative objects where the history, construction, and character of the piece are part of what makes it interesting. We make every effort to research our items carefully and describe them accurately, including noting areas where identification, age, or origin remain uncertain. Dimensions Length: 4.20 inches Width: 2.36 inches Height: 4.46 inches Weight: 13.4 oz SPECIFICATIONS Dimensions 4.20"L x 2.36"W x 4.46"H Weight 13.4 oz Condition Very good vintage/antique condition with extensive natural surface variation, patina, oxidation, wear, and residual reddish-brown coloration throughout the sculpture. The figure is substantially hollow, with visible interior construction features and narrow internal ledges. An irregular surface separation/discontinuity is present in areas surrounding the hollow interior. The exact cause has not been determined. A strong magnet produces localized attraction along a narrow longitudinal area associated with the central seam, while the remainder of the sculpture is essentially non-magnetic. The reddish-brown surface coloration has not been cleaned, scraped, polished, or chemically treated. These areas have been preserved in their found condition. No confirmed repairs have been identified, although the unusual construction and localized magnetic response indicate that the object may incorporate more than one material or construction component. Please examine all photographs carefully , including the 360 Video and the close-up images of the interior, mouth, underside, surface coloration, seam, and areas of surface separation. The photographs are an important part of the condition description. 📦 Extreme care will be taken during packaging and shipping. Items tend to ship with an excessive amount of padding. Dickson Antiques strives to use recycled packaging materials wherever possible. Buyer will receive a selection of tasty imported candies. A tracking number will be provided prior to shipment. Questions? We can be contacted at any time through eBay messages if you have any questions, comments, or product requests. We will respond within 24 hours and do our best to help you out! We encourage our customers to contact us with any questions or concerns. © Dickson Antiques 2026 Disclaimer Item condition is reflected in the listing photos. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Dimensions: 4.20"L x 2.36"W x 4.46"H Weight: 13.4 oz Unusual Chinese bronze mythical beast, identified as a Qilin or related Luduan, with construction strongly consistent with a functional incense burner/censer. Substantially hollow, with an open mouth communicating with the interior cavity and internal ledges that may have supported an original incense insert or grate. Extensive reddish-brown coloration remains across corresponding areas and may represent remnants of an original decorative finish. Exact age and origin are unconfirmed. No maker's or country-of-origin mark found. Please study all photos. Condition: Very good antique/vintage condition with natural patina, surface wear, oxidation and extensive reddish-brown residual coloration. Substantially hollow interior with visible construction features and ledges. Localized magnetic response along center seam. No cleaning or polishing. See all photos.. Category: Antiques › Asian Antiques › China › Incense Burners.