Description

Antique Chinese bronze incense holder for joss (stick or agarabathi) incense in the form of Laozi riding a water buffalo. Laozi is widely celebrated as the founder of Taoism and the author of Tao Te Ching, a significant treaty on Chinese cosmology. According to legend, Laozi left China for the west riding a water buffalo. In this small bronze incense holder, Laozi sits on the back of the animal, his robes flowing around him. As in traditional representations, he holds a scroll to his chest. A tube for holding the incense stands near the head of the buffalo.

17th Century: Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644)

Dimensions: 3 1/4″ high x 2 1/4″ long