Chinese Lu or Incense Burner

Round medallions in cobalt blue crowd the sides of this tapered block like polka dots.

This porcelain lu or incense burner is from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. Many Chinese censers take their shape from ancient bronze ritual vessels, with a rounded bowl, a flared rim and handles or legs that carry the weight of the form. Tapered, four-sided piece covered in white glaze with several deep blue circles, some carrying spoked flowers and some tiny landscapes. Small pinholes dot the surface, and a rough, crusty patch of deposit sits along the base edge. It is 3.5 inches wide, 3.5 deep and 3 high.

Busy, bright, and a little dinged, which only adds to the plot.