| METAL |
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| 14 A fine, partly lacquered bronze censer Ming dynasty Height: 15 1/2 in, 39.4 cm well cast in the form of the Tang poet, Du Fu, riding on a mule. The separate figure carries a scroll in his right hand and wears a cloth hat, from which two ribbons fall, and long robes, tied high with an official belt and low with a bow; his shoes, in stirrups, protrude from the hem. His head is well defined with incised hair, eyebrows, beard and moustache, and his features bear a serene expression. There is a small hole in his back to allow the smoke to escape. The mule is cast as if walking, with its head and neck low; it has a long tail, swishing round a hind leg, and an incised mane. The mule wears a saddle and saddle-cloth, decorated with bands of key fret, and tasselled trappings. The poet bears extensive remains of original lacquer decoration: cloud and diaper patterns to his robes, clouds on his hat and gilt lacquer to his face. The mule also has remnants of lacquer decoration, mainly to the trappings, but with traces of red to his ears.
This bronze commends itself for the unusual amount of original lacquer remaining. Du Fu (712–70) is one of the most famous poets of the High Tang and in later centuries he became known as shi sheng (the saint or sage of poetry). |
