Censers, also known as incense burners, have a long history in China, dating back to ancient times. They were used for a variety of purposes, including religious ceremonies, medicinal treatments, and as a means of purifying the air.

In ancient China, censers were used in religious rituals and ceremonies, particularly in Taoist and Buddhist temples. They were also used in imperial palaces and government buildings, where they were used to purify the air and to ward off evil spirits. Censers were often made of bronze, and were decorated with intricate designs and motifs, such as dragons, phoenixes, and other symbols of power and authority.

During the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), censers were used in traditional Chinese medicine as a way to burn herbal mixtures to treat illnesses. Censers were also used in the home as part of everyday life, where they were used to purify the air and more...

64 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

Japanese bronze temple censor on stand. The sides with dragon…

Japanese bronze temple censor on stand. The sides with dragon handles. The pierced lid with a dragon holding a pearl of wisdom. Height 44 cm

Pair Japanese bronze koro incense burners. Urn form body, with…

Pair Japanese bronze koro incense burners. Urn form body, with raised decoration of hawks and phoenix. Raised on three feet. The pierced covers surmounted by kylin, height 40 cm

A Japanese bronze cloisonne censer, late Meiji, late 19th…

Japanese Bronze Cloisonne Censer with Lion Finial and Elephant Handles

A Japanese bronze cloisonne censer, late Meiji, late 19th century the globular cloisonne censer, with domed cover adorned with lion finial, elephant handles to the shoulders, decorated with a continuous figural scene in landscape, with archaic seal marks…

A Japanese champleve enamel and bronze censer, Edo period…

A Japanese champleve enamel and bronze censer, Edo period (1603-1868), 19th century, modelled as a Shishi with its tail standing proud the Shishi looks upward to the heavens, carved with blue, red, green and yellow enamel details and removable cover to…

A Japanese bronze Quail koro censer, Meiji period

A Japanese bronze Quail koro censer, Meiji period

A Japanese bronze tripod censer and cover, Meiji period, late…

A Japanese bronze tripod censer and cover, Meiji period, late 19th century of baluster form, with a cylindrical neck, a vegetal finial to the domed cover, and twin rose handles, the body decorated in relief with birds on fruiting branches upon a scroll…

Japanese bronze dragon censer, with pierced cover above a…

Japanese bronze dragon censer, with pierced cover above a baluster body, decorated with draped motifs, supported on a rampant dragon, a/f, height 38.5 cm

Pair of impressive large antique Japanese bronze incense…

Meiji Period Japanese Bronze Incense Burners with Silver Inlay

Pair of impressive large antique Japanese bronze incense burners with silver wire inlay, Meiji period 1868-1912, height 36 cm, (2)

A Japanese bronze covered censer, 19th century, the ovoid body…

Japanese Bronze Lotus Censer with Dragon Knop, 19th Century

A Japanese bronze covered censer, 19th century, the ovoid body with lotus form handles and dragon knop, supported on a high lotus leaf form stem, 21 cm high

Fiorm handles, height 26 cm a Japanese bronze two piece censer…

Japanese Bronze Censer with Leaf Handles (26cm)

Fiorm handles, height 26 cm a Japanese bronze two piece censer with leaf form handles, height 26 cm

A Japanese patinated bronze fo dog censor and cover, 20th…

Japanese Bronze Fo Dog Censor and Cover

A Japanese patinated bronze fo dog censor and cover, 20th century the censor and cover of a fo dog, depicted with the tail and head raised and an alert look on his face, of good weight, unmarked. Height 18.5 cm, width 24 cm

Large Japanese Meiji period censer, in bronze and mixed metal,…

Meiji Period Bronze Censer with Immortal and Floral Decorations

Large Japanese Meiji period censer, in bronze and mixed metal, with a circular top decorated with applied bids and flowers with crenulated apron, above a vase shaped support, decorated with immortal to one side and flowers to the other, above an elaborate…

Good pair of Japanese Meiji period censers, in mixed metal,…

Meiji Period Mixed Metal Samurai Censers

Good pair of Japanese Meiji period censers, in mixed metal, with a spreading top, decorated with flowers, above a twin handled body, beautifully decorated with samurai warriors in bronze, gold, silver and copper, with rampant dragons verso, on base on a…

A Japanese silver inlaid bronze censer, Meiji period,…

Meiji Period Bronze Censer with Silver Inlay

A Japanese silver inlaid bronze censer, Meiji period, rectangular with two loop handles above a frieze inlaid with geometric inlay on four cabriole legs, height 13 cm

Lovely Japanese Edo period bronze and champleve dove censer and…

Edo Period Bronze Dove Censer with Champleve Enamel

Lovely Japanese Edo period bronze and champleve dove censer and cover, depicted standing on log with head turned looking backwards, the wings lifting to reveal censer, the whole perched upon a rock and accented in blue, red, yellow and white enamel,…

Japanese bronze Hotei god and deer censor early 20th century,…

Japanese Bronze Hotei God and Deer Censor

Japanese bronze Hotei god and deer censor early 20th century, 21 cm height

A Japanese bronze incense burner with two handls, height 51.5…

Japanese Bronze Incense Burner with Handles

A Japanese bronze incense burner with two handls, height 51.5 cm, diameter 15 cm

A Japanese bronze censer lamp, Meiji period, 1868-1912, the…

Japanese Bronze Dragon Censer Lamp

A Japanese bronze censer lamp, Meiji period, 1868-1912, the lamp with a waisted base embellished with cast dragons in high relief and borders of turtles and other animals, a pierced censer globe with small door and a shapely domed cover with saw tooth…

A large Japanese 19th century bronze shishi incense burner, the…

Japanese Bronze Shishi Incense Burner

A large Japanese 19th century bronze shishi incense burner, the temple dog with head turned to the left, an open cavity to its back, length 34 cm

Impressive Japanese bronze Koro by Seimin, Meiji period…

Japanese Zodiac Bronze Incense Burner by Seimin

Impressive Japanese bronze Koro by Seimin, Meiji period (1868-1912) the flattened spherical lobed body cast with twelve cartouches featuring the Zodiac animals, the lid surmounted by an eagle standing on a rock with outspread wings, the incense burner…

Japanese bronze censer and cover, of squat form, with twin…

Japanese Bronze Censer with Inlaid Foliate Motifs and Cover

Japanese bronze censer and cover, of squat form, with twin angled handles, the pierced cover set with fo dog and bowl, the body inlaid with foliate motifs, height 12 cm

A Japanese bronze crescent form hanging censer, 19th/20th…

Japanese Bronze Hanging Censer, 19th/20th Century

A Japanese bronze crescent form hanging censer, 19th/20th century 28 cm diameter

A monumental Japanese bronze censer, Meiji period finely cast…

Japanese Bronze Dragon Censer with Flying Cranes

A monumental Japanese bronze censer, Meiji period finely cast in high relief over four interlocking sections with a writhing dragon to the base rising to a tapering stem with swallows and sparrows, the upper censer bowl decorated with flying cranes 162 cm…

A Japanese Meiji period bronze censer, ovoid raised on four…

Meiji Period Bronze Censer with Bird and Blossom Panels

A Japanese Meiji period bronze censer, ovoid raised on four feet, decorated with panels of birds and blossom, the cover surmounted by a kirin finial (loose), height 38.5 cm.

Bronze censer with Japanese Catalog lot 502 bronze censer with…

Japanese Bronze Censer with Catalogue Lot 502

Bronze censer with Japanese Catalog lot 502 bronze censer with two ruing handles sitting on three feet and marked to bottom. Comes with Sowas Japanese auction catalogue lot 502, size Dia 13 cm height 10 cm

Japanese bronze censer, with a shaped floriform lip, above a…

Japanese Bronze Floriform Censer, 16cm Diameter

Japanese bronze censer, with a shaped floriform lip, above a cylindrical body, diameter 16 cm

Antique Japanese patinated bronze lidded censer, Dog of Fo to…

Japanese Bronze Dog of Fo Censer with Lid

Antique Japanese patinated bronze lidded censer, Dog of Fo to lid, 47.5 cm high, 26 cm wide

Pair of Japanese lacquered bronze incense burners in the form…

Japanese Elephant Incense Burners with Figures

Pair of Japanese lacquered bronze incense burners in the form of elephants with their trunks raised & figures seated on there backs. Ex Ray Tregaskis, 1999. Provenance: John Hilliard Collection.

A good antique Japanese bronze censer well moulded with dragon…

Antique Japanese Bronze Dragon Censer with Boy Figure

A good antique Japanese bronze censer well moulded with dragon form handles, the lid topped with the figure of boy. Signed to base, Ex. Ray Tregaskis Antiques.

Pair of brass censers Japanese guardian lion designed lids,…

Japanese Brass Censers with Guardian Lion Lids

Pair of brass censers Japanese guardian lion designed lids, with tripod base, height 20 cm

Brass lidded censer with Japanese guardian lion design, bird…

Japanese-style Brass Censer with Guardian Lion and Elephant Legs

Brass lidded censer with Japanese guardian lion design, bird panel decoration, & four elephant design legs, height 47 cm

A Japanese bronze censer, cube shape with swollen walls with…

Japanese Elephant Handled Bronze Censer with Shishi Finial

A Japanese bronze censer, cube shape with swollen walls with elephant handles, surmounted by a pierced cover with shishi finial, raised on there legs. Height 17.5 cm.

A 19th century Japanese bronze censer, modelled as Kannon…

Japanese Bronze Kannon Censer Riding Goose with Gilded Detail

A 19th century Japanese bronze censer, modelled as Kannon transported on the back of a goose, it's head turned back with open bill enabling the incense smoke to waft from it. Raised on a quatrefoil plateau from a swollen table base with shishi mask…

A Japanese bronze censer, the lid and bowl with mythical beast…

Japanese Bronze Censer with Mythical Beast Handles

A Japanese bronze censer, the lid and bowl with mythical beast handles, raised on a tripod base with a round spreading foot. Provenance: The Flower Family Collection. 11 cm x 28 cm

A Japanese bronze censer modelled as three cranes, the backs…

Japanese Bronze Crane Censer with Removable Covers

A Japanese bronze censer modelled as three cranes, the backs removable as covers for the incense cavities. Height 48 cm

Two Japanese bronze censers, each surmounted by a dragon and…

Japanese Bronze Dragon and Shisa Censers

Two Japanese bronze censers, each surmounted by a dragon and Shisa, one (A/F) (2), height 20 cm, 35 cm. Provenance: The Estate of J. Belfer, Sydney

Japanese figural bronze incense burner, in the form of a Kylin…

Kylin Incense Burner: Japanese Figural Bronze

Japanese figural bronze incense burner, in the form of a Kylin laying on stomach with back feet in the air, height 18 cm

A Japanese late Meiji period bronze censer for Ikebana, on…

Meiji Bronze Ikebana Censer with Tiger and Dragon Panels

A Japanese late Meiji period bronze censer for Ikebana, on tricorn base with two low relief panels, tiger in landscape and dragon in clouds, width 30 cm

An impressive large Japanese Meiji bronze censer, the elongated…

Meiji Bronze Censer with Exotic Bird and Eagle Sculptures

An impressive large Japanese Meiji bronze censer, the elongated ovoid body with panelled design in relief of exotic birds, the lid surmounted with a sculpted eagle upon a rocky outcrop, its attention drawn to a snake, long scrolling mythical beast head…

A Japanese bronze incense burner, modelled as three cranes, the…

Japanese Bronze Crane Incense Burner

A Japanese bronze incense burner, modelled as three cranes, the back of each bird removable to access a cavity for incense. Height 48 cm

A large Japanese bronze censer on elm stand, Meiji period (1868…

Japanese Bronze Censer on Elm Stand, Meiji Period

A large Japanese bronze censer on elm stand, Meiji period (1868 - 1912), 58 cm across the handles. Provenance: Property of a Gentleman, Melbourne

Meiji period bronze Koro (censer). The Japanese 19th century…

Meiji Bronze Koro with Dragon and Folk Figures

Meiji period bronze Koro (censer). The Japanese 19th century large bronze Koro, standing on four scrolling feet, the base has a writhing dragon in turbulent seas, the body of the censer shows figures from folk narratives, the lid and finial depicts…

Japanese bronze censer pot, 20 cm high approx

Japanese Bronze Censer Pot - 20cm

Japanese bronze censer pot, 20 cm high approx

Japanese bronze gilt temple dog censer, height 15 cm approx

Japanese Temple Dog Censer, 15cm

Japanese bronze gilt temple dog censer, height 15 cm approx

A large bronze censer with wakashishi finial, Japanese, Meiji…

Japanese Meiji Bronze Censer with Wakashishi Finial

A large bronze censer with wakashishi finial, Japanese, Meiji Period (1868-1912), 66 cm high

Fine pair of antique Meiji period Japanese silver inlaid bronze…

Meiji Era Silver Inlaid Ikebana/Censer Pair with Possum Motif

Fine pair of antique Meiji period Japanese silver inlaid bronze ikebana / censers, large shallow saucer dish tops decorated in low relief with possums on branches, held by turned baluster bodies, spreading base with three feet on a stepped base (2)

Antique Japanese bronze censer Meiji Era late 19th century,…

Meiji Era Japanese Bronze Censer with Temple Dogs

Antique Japanese bronze censer Meiji Era late 19th century, with temple dogs to both sides and lid, height 13 cm approxProvenance: Finey Collection, Sydney

Large early Japanese bronze censer, with foo dog figural lid…

Japanese Bronze Censer with Foo Dog Lid and Wave Handles

Large early Japanese bronze censer, with foo dog figural lid flanked by wave shaped handles supported by 3 legs and timber (rosewood) base, 46 cm high approx.

Incense burner, 1900's Japanese, bronze

Japanese Bronze Incense Burner, 1900s

Incense burner, 1900's Japanese, bronze

Vintage Japanese bronze censer with stand, blossom decoration,…

Japanese Bronze Censer with Blossom Decoration and Stand

Vintage Japanese bronze censer with stand, blossom decoration, as inspected

A pair of Japanese bronze temple censers. 20th century. 22 cm…

Japanese Bronze Temple Censers (Pair)

A pair of Japanese bronze temple censers. 20th century. 22 cm high (2)

A pair of Japanese bronze censers with Foo dog finials, Meiji…

Japanese Bronze Censers with Foo Dog Finials (Meiji Period)

A pair of Japanese bronze censers with Foo dog finials, Meiji period. 49 cm high

A pair of Japanese bronze censers. Meiji Period cast with…

Japanese Bronze Censers with Shishi Lion Lids

A pair of Japanese bronze censers. Meiji Period cast with shishi lions to the lids marked. Height 260m

Oriental bronze censer & two Japanese tea bowls,

Bronze Censer & Japanese Tea Bowls Set

Oriental bronze censer & two Japanese tea bowls,

A large Japanese bronze two-handle censer, cast with mythical…

Japanese Mythical Bronze Censer with Two Handles

A large Japanese bronze two-handle censer, cast with mythical scenes, 1st half 20th century, 30 cm high, 50 cm diameter

A silver inlaid bronze censer, probably Japanese, 19th century,…

Japanese Bronze Censer with Silver Inlay (or) Silver Inlaid Japanese Bronze Censer

A silver inlaid bronze censer, probably Japanese, 19th century, 12 cm diameter, 11 cm high

A Japanese champleve enamel and bronze censer in the form of a…

Japanese Kylin Censer with Champleve Enamel and Bronze, 19th Century

A Japanese champleve enamel and bronze censer in the form of a Kylin, 19th century, 23 cm high

A Japanese bronze censer Meiji period, the body decorated with…

Japanese Meiji Period Bronze Censer with Relief Work Panels

A Japanese bronze censer Meiji period, the body decorated with a diaper ground and two relief work panels on tripod feet, 20 cm

Group of Japanese bronze vessels, Meiji period, including seven…

Japanese Bronze Vessels Set, Meiji Period

Group of Japanese bronze vessels, Meiji period, including seven various vases, one lidded censer and two pill boxes. Height 15 cm

Japanese bronze Koro censer temple burner, the censer is…

Japanese Bronze Koro Censer with Mythical Mask and Shi-Shi Dog

Japanese bronze Koro censer temple burner, the censer is decorated with mythical mask type, handles, birds and foliage around outer pot, with shi-shi dog finial. Height 12 cm

Japanese bronze incense burner of two fo dogs fighting, height…

Japanese Bronze Fighting Fo Dogs Incense Burner

Japanese bronze incense burner of two fo dogs fighting, height 15 cm

A Japanese bronze Koro, Meiji period (1868-1912), a fine…

Meiji Bronze Zodiac Koro with Fo Dogs

A Japanese bronze Koro, Meiji period (1868-1912), a fine spherical censer supported by three fantastic fo dogs, the body decorated in relief with the symbols of the zodiac and pendant lotus designs; two small fo dogs to the side, and surmounted by another…

Japanese bronze lidded koro (censer), Meiji period (1868-1912),…

Japanese Bronze Koro with Shishi Lion Handles

Japanese bronze lidded koro (censer), Meiji period (1868-1912), with shishi lion handles and cover finial, signed ?Dai Nihon, Kyoto, (name of maker)?. Height 27 cm

A Japanese bronze censer, Meiji period, late 19th century,…

Meiji Bronze Elephant Censer with Dragon Handles

A Japanese bronze censer, Meiji period, late 19th century, raised upon three elephant trunk supports on a stepped circular base, the ovoid censer with water dragon handles and archaistic designs in relief encircling the bowl, the lid with a proud dragon…