Incense burner, Northern Song Dynasty, 11th century. Yaozhou Ware.Clay with gray-green celadon glaze. Height x Diameter: 19.4 x 18.6 cm (mouth); Diameter: 11.2 cm (Standing). Ident.Nr. 1968-14. Collection:  Museum of Asian Art. Photo:  Jürgen Liepe © Photo:  Museum of Asian Art, the National Museums in Berlin - Prussian Cultural Heritage

Acquired in 1968 censer is one of the relics of the Berlin collection and is one of the masterpieces from one of the most brilliant periods in the history of Chinese ceramics.Absolutely extraordinary is the series of five nearly fully formed plastic kneeling naked, muscled men of nichtchinesischem type, which are arranged around the broad shaft of incense on the projecting base plate. The shell carries a cut decor. A stylized flower and leaf garland adorns the wide lip. The high necked wall bears downwardly facing lancet leaves with jagged teeth into the internal fields. The furnaces of Yaozhou in a circle Tongchuan, Shaanxi Province, the production of this mostly decorated with dense floral motifs engraved and combed green glazed stoneware concentrated.