Porcelain incense burner imitating ding ware, Jingdezhen, Ming dynasty, ca. 1550-1640. Height: 11.1 cm. CIRC.130-1935. Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee.  © V&A Images. 

Porcelain incense burner shaped as an archaic bronze vessel, with circular foot and two handles departing from dragon heads; the body is decorated with raised lines.

This porcelain incense burner was made in the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen in Southeast China during the Ming dynasty in between the late 16th century and early 17th century. The shape is in the form of a gui, an ancient bronze vessel, and the ceramics imitates the ivory white of the Ding ware produced during the Song dynasty (960-1279).

The taste for 'archaistic' forms developed among the circles of imperial officers and literati during the Song dynasty, when 'copying the ancient' (fanggu) became an established practice as a way of honouring the past and celebrate previous dynasties.

Bibliographic References: Kerr, Rose. Chinese Art and Design. London: Victoria and Albert Museum, 1991, p. 228. pl. 107 

Clunas, Craig. The Art of Social Climbing in 16th Century China. In: Burlington Magazine, 1991, p. 371