Sancai Parrot Incense Burner

A symbol of freedom and long life, parrots have held a place of honor in Chinese culture for centuries. In fact, this parrot-shaped incense holder once played an important role in ancestor worship. Crafted of ceramic, the bird seems to look down at its smoking cache, held within the base. Drawing on Tang-dynasty sancai, or three color ware, the Qing-dynasty bird is coated in green, amber and cream glazes that flow and mix over the bird’s sculptural form.