Chinese Lu or Incense Burner

A squat drum of pale glaze, crazed all over like old pavement, with a blue smudge.

This porcelain lu or incense burner is from Hebei Province, China, and dates to the 19th century. The lu is the Chinese name for a censer, a vessel for burning incense that has long stood on household altars, in temples and in scholars' studios. Short, straight-sided cylinder with a small hole in its flat top and a fine web of crackle across the glaze. A few faint blue brush marks sit on the top and a darker blue streak runs down one side. The base edge is chipped. It is 3 inches high and 3.25 in diameter.

Weathered, cracked, and entirely at peace with it.