清乾隆 雄黃料玻璃三足爐|Tripod censer

Overview Tripod censer China mid-18th century On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 221 The intense marbleized orange color of this incense burner successfully imitates realgar, an arsenic sulfide mineral used in Chinese traditional medicine. This mineral has long been understood as an antidote to various venoms and as a substance with the ability to ward off evil. By evoking realgar, this vessel would have been thought to be imbued with additional power, making it a highly appreciated item on a scholar’s desk.