Beschreibung:

An important bronze lotus bud-form censer Gandhara, 3rd/4th Century In the form of a stylized lotus bud on a square plinth supported by four winged Bodhisattva figures holding wreaths, with a flared fluted column above a composite wreath, supporting a domed canopy molded with a lotus frieze and seated birds, encircled by a band of scrolling vines and adorned with pendent vine leaves alternating with bell-shaped ornaments, rising to the bud-shaped censer with a hinged cover molded with mask medallions in relief alternating with pierced wan -symbols above half-moon and heart-shaped openings, enclosed by bands of pierced triangular motifs between raised borders above and below, surmounted by a ring-shaped finial suspending miniature bells and secured with a peg attached by a chain 32 in. (82.5 cm.) high