Censer with Elephant Handles Inlaid with Silver Clouds and Cranes

Delicately engraved with clouds and cranes, this 18th century bronze censer once held incense, lit for prayer or meditation. Clouds represent heaven and cranes, thought to live very long lives, represent longevity. Its handles are auspicious elephant heads with rounded trunks. An incense burner, a covered box for incense powder and a vase for incense tools were considered the "three friends" of incense, and were frequently depicted on stands in paintings and considered works of art.