Chinese Censer with Dragon Handles and Foo Lion Lid

A foo lion sits on the lid with a paw on a ball, while two dragons climb the sides to see what he is guarding.

This censer with dragon handles and foo lion lid comes from China and dates to the Qing Dynasty (late 19th / early 20th century), in bronze. Incense burners were long central to Chinese household altars and scholars' studios, their lids pierced to let smoke escape. The round belly is cast with an archaic-style band and pierced with coin-shaped openings, beneath a collar of openwork scrolls. Two slender dragons form the handles, and three lion-mask legs carry the body. It is 10.5 inches high, 9.5 wide and 5.5 deep.

Any smoke leaving has to get past three guards first.