Incense-burner on a high, hollow pedestal

The classical forms of incense burners with three legs and multi-layered bodies were modified by northern potters during the tenth century. One of those simplified shapes was the straight-sided cup on a high pedestal, as seen in this case, which were frequently found in Hebei, Henan, Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Shandong. These forms, with either tall or short bodies sitting on pedestals, were glazed mostly in white or black, and sometimes were adorned with carved or painted ornaments on their sides. This type of white-glazed incense burner was favored at the ding and cizhou kilns of Hebei from the middle Northern Song onward (CGK Zenshu 1981 vol. 9: pl. 59; WW 1990.4: pl. 1).