A Very Rare Chinese Cloisonne Pagoda Incense Burner

Qianlong period (1736-95), a two part altar Buddhist incense burner in tiered sections of turquoise ground cloisonne, this magnificent artwork has resembles a pagoda with many meticulously rendered details, rising from an open lotus blossom showing its seed pods, a column compartment that opens in center is decorated with lotus blossom cloisonne pattern, above the sweeping rooftop with fish decorating the front corners is topped with another lotus blossom that is open for incense smoke to rise up to heaven.

22 1/2 in.

Collection of Michael and Ingrid Kelly, Worldwide Gallery Antiques, Fredericksburg, Virginia

The Qianlong emperor was a strong follower of Tibetan Buddhism and commissioned numerous artworks for his private temples inside his palace and elsewhere in the country. Cloisonne altarpieces from the Qianlong period with lotus blossoms and seed pods can be found in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum of Art (09.662) and Phoenix Art Museum (1982.21ab).

Some repairs and remaining losses to sections of the two balustrades; two fish elements missing from the roof edge; one of the lotus petals has been repaired; some damage to an area at top of the lotus pod; scattered areas of wear from age and use.