CHINESE ARCHAISTIC CARVED HARDSTONE SQUARE CENSER

CHINESE ARCHAIC-REVIVAL CARVED HARDSTONE / JADE COVERED FOUR-LEGGED SQUARE CENSER, 20TH C., SHANG / HAN DYNASTY STYLE CARVED FROM A DENSE, MOTTLED CHARCOAL-GREY AND BROWN HARDSTONE / JADE WITH EXTENSIVE SUBTERRANEAN WEATHERING, SURFACE PIT PATINATION SQUARE-SECTION CONTAINER SUPPORTED ON FOUR CORNER ANIMAL-MASK CABRIOLE LEGS; THE FOUR EXTERIOR WALLS CARVED IN LOW AND FLAT RELIEF WITH AN ICONOGRAPHIC PROGRAM COMPRISING A PROMINENT ARCHAIC TAOTIE MASK, A STRIDING FENGHUANG (PHOENIX) AMIDST CLOUD SCROLLS, AND A CENTRAL FOUR-COLUMN INSCRIPTION PANEL RECORDING ARCHAIC BRONZE SCRIPT CHARACTERS; THE BASE UNDERSIDE INCISED WITH A CENTRAL COILED DRAGON ROUNDEL FLANKED BY SEAL CHARACTERS. MEASURES APPROX. 4.875 IN (WITH LID) 4 X 4 IN