The massive censor is finely painted in underglaze cobalt-blue on white ground. There are 2 lion head 'ears' glazed in a golden-brown color.

The writing on the scroll reads (paraphrased): "DAN-SHOU-AN (women temple), ZHA-KOU (location). DONATED BY HONG SHU TANG, of XIN-AN (location), AS HONORABLE GIFT, IN THE SPRING-TIME OF THE 44th YEAR OF QIANLONG, QING DYNASTY."

The writing indicates that the censor was commissioned by Ms. Hong Shu Tang to be made and given (donated) as an honorable gift to the Dan-shou-an woman temple which is located in Zha-kou, during the spring-time of the 44th year of emperor Qianlong's reign (1736-95). This would date it as being made in the Springtime of 1780.

This is a massive porcelain piece with a broad squat-round belly, slightly tapered neck with a squared-off wide mouth rim. The censor stands on 3 sturdy dragon-faced legs which are somewhat uneven.

Note: There was apparent injury and repair to the front and left legs. The front leg appears to be a relatively simple fracture repair. But the left leg seems to have additional restoration. Unfortunately the repair was not done properly and both legs appear to be short hence, causing of the uneven appearance. We are selling this rare piece as 'repaired'. Please examine our pictures and email us if you have any questions.

Also please forgive the dirt that appears on the censor and pictures. I didn't clean the censor prior to taking my pictures.

Condition: Very Good (restoration to 2 legs - see description notes)