Censer with Cover and Stand, late Ming-early Qing dynasty, 17th–early 18th century. Bronze with pigment, wood, and jade, 66.7 x 65.2 cm. Saint Louis Art Museum, Gift of Robert E. Kresko, 6:2005a-c.

The visually complex shape and interlocking dragon decor of this work are based on ancient prototypes. The surface of this vessel appears to be an aged, corroded patina (finish) but is actually skillfully applied paint. This extraordinary tripod vessel is among the very rare Ming works that closely follow ancient ritual bronze design. Early collectors prized this bronze based on the elaborately carved cover and stand in matching fine woods that were created for it in the 18th century.