A SILVERED AND GILT BRONZE ‘SHOULAO AND DEER’ INCENSE BURNER, QING DYNASTY
China, 17th-18th century. Well modeled, with the god of longevity shown holding a scroll while seated atop a separately cast recumbent stag with removable gilt antlers. Shoulao’s wide sleeve is pierced to let out the smoke rising from within the deer’s hollowed back. The interior of the figure is set with a short peg to fit into a pierced aperture on the deer.


Provenance
: From a private collection on 700 Park Avenue, Manhattan, New York, USA.

Condition
: Good condition with some old wear and expected casting irregularities, tarnishing to silver, light scratches, tiny nicks, small dents, minute touchups to the gilding of the antlers.

Weight: 3,269 g
Dimensions: Height 25 cm, Length 27 cm


During the Qing Dynasty in China
, incense burners served not only functional purposes but were also commissioned as decorative objects with deep symbolic significance. These burners often took the form of auspicious animals or figures, reflecting the cultural beliefs and aspirations of the time.


Shoulao
held great importance in Chinese culture as he represented the desire for longevity and good health. His portrayal with a large head symbolized wisdom, while his long beard signified old age. It was believed that by venerating Shoulao and leading a virtuous and balanced life, individuals could attain longevity and even immortality.


Deer
are associated with the Daoist concept of immortality due to their believed exceptional lifespan. This led to deer becoming symbolic representations of the wish for a long and prosperous life. In Chinese mythology, they were often depicted as messengers of immortals, possessing magical abilities.


Together
, Shoulao and the deer exemplify the aspirations for longevity and good fortune.


Literature comparison:

See the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum for a closely related group of figural censers that show immortals astride various creatures, particularly accession nos. M.264BODY-1929, M.265-1929, and M.2-1922.


Auction result comparison:

Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie's New York, 20 March 2001, lot 64
Price: USD 10,575 or approx.
EUR 17,000
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A bronze incense burner and cover formed as Shoulao riding a deer, 17th/18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, modeling, and manner of casting. Note the size (41.2 cm).


Auction result comparison:

Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 19 March 2008, lot 334
Price: USD 23,750 or approx.
EUR 31,500
converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: An unusual small lacquered bronze ‘Shoulao and deer’ incense burner, 17th/18th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, modeling, manner of casting, and size (24.7 cm). Note the lacquer.




清代鎏金鎏銀壽老仙鹿香爐

中國，十七至十八世紀。造型精良，長壽鎏銀，一手握捲軸，一手扶著鹿，笑容可親。鹿成臥姿，鹿角鎏金，可拆卸。 壽老的寬袖被刺穿，香可從鹿凹陷的背部散發。壽老內部裝有一個短釘，可插入鹿身上的穿孔中。


來源：
美國紐約曼哈頓公園大道 700 號私人收藏。

品相：
狀況良好，有一些磨損和鑄造不規則，銀色失去光澤、輕微劃痕、微小刻痕、小凹痕、鹿角鍍金的微小修飾。

重量：3,269 克
尺寸：高 25 厘米, 長 27 厘米


文獻比較：

一件非常相近的壽老神獸香爐，收藏於維多利亞和亞伯特博物館，館藏編號M.264BODY-1929，M.265-1929和M.2-1922。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：非常相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2001年3月20日，lot 64
價格：USD 10,575（相當於今日
EUR 17,000
）
描述：十七至十八世紀壽老仙鹿香爐
專家評論：比較相近的主題，模型和鑄造風格。請注意尺寸(41.2厘米)。


拍賣結果比較：

形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2008年3月19日，lot 334
價格：USD 23,750（相當於今日
EUR 31,500
）
描述：十七至十八世紀壽老仙鹿香爐
專家評論：比較相近的主題，模型，鑄造風格和尺寸(24.7厘米)。請注意漆。