This is an incense burner or censor. It carries the reign mark “Tongzhi nian zhi” suggesting that it could have been made during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi from 1862 to 1874. This piece is cylindrical in shape with a broad base, a low footring and a gilt edged mouthrim. The decorative motifs include a rose pink quatrefoil medallion enclosing a phoenix perched on rockery amongst red and white peonies. Outside the medallion peony sprays on a dark green background with buds and dark and light green leaves. At the base is a border of stylised lotus petals in salmon pink. The smoke produced by the burning of incense and joss sticks at the ancestral altar is meant to symbolise the communication between living and dead family members. These are usually burnt by the eldest member of the household, with the burnt joss sticks inserted upright into the incense burner.
