Late Bronzes and their Archetypes

The bronzes that Count Karl von Luxburg purchased in China were primarily what are known as "late bronzes". These were crafted in the tradition of earlier bronze items produced during the Xia dynasty (c. 2070-c. 1600 BC) and the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BC). These archaic ritual bronzes were used as burial objects or for offerings of food and drink. From the Song dynasty (960-1279) onwards, they were rediscovered through excavations, regarded as art objects, and served as templates for new bronze creations.

These "late bronzes" also include the small, cast censer of the "Li" type, which was made between 1723 and 1735. The six-character mark of the Yongzheng period (1723-1735) on the underside of the object indicates its date of manufacture: 大清雍正年製 (Da Qing Yongzheng nian zhi), which translates to "Made in the Yongzheng period of the Great Qing [dynasty]".

Bronze incense burners from the Yongzheng period bearing a mark are regarded as exceedingly rare. Characteristic of the "Li" vessel type, which was already seen in archaic ritual bronzes, are the three legs that blend seamlessly into the body of the vessel.