Incense burner with rectangular vertical handles

Beginning with celadon qingbai glazed types made in southern kilns during the Song, this shape was a transformation from the classical style of incense burner. Produced widely throughout the country during the Yuan, the shape was particularly favored by Mongols. Either left unglazed or glazed with qingbai, celadon, three-color, or jun glazes, these Yuan wares were varied in shape and decoration, some having a plain surface, others decorated with relief ornaments. Relief motifs often present mythological creatures, including phoenixes (KG 1972.6: pl. 6), dragons, and animal-masks, all set off by floral medallions (WW 1977.5: pl. 1). This particular type, with boldly molded shallow-relief flower branches, is rarely seen among published pieces.