Chinese Lu or Incense Burner

Tall white block with a single blue flick on the front, as if dropped from a brush.

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 form in glossy pale glaze, with a small blue brushed mark that resembles a feather on the front face. The top has a small hole and some surface roughness, and the lower edges show rust-brown chipping where the glaze has worn. It is 2 inches wide, 2 deep and 3 high.

One quick mark, executed and then promptly left alone.