Japanese Bronze Basket Censer.

Japanese bronze censer with floral openwork lid, movable handle. 

Size: 6 3/4 x 5 3/4 x 4 1/2 in. 

Japanese censers, known as kōro, are small vessels used to burn incense in religious, ceremonial, and domestic contexts, with a history stretching back over a thousand years. Crafted from materials such as bronze, porcelain, or ceramics, they often feature intricate designs inspired by nature, mythology, or Buddhist symbolism, and may include pierced lids to allow smoke to escape in delicate patterns. Kōro are integral to practices like tea ceremonies, meditation, and temple rituals, where the fragrance of incense is believed to purify the space, invite tranquility, or honor ancestors. Over time, Japanese artisans have elevated censers to objects of both spiritual and aesthetic significance, balancing functional craftsmanship with refined artistic expression, making them prized collectibles and cultural icons.

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