Majestic, Chinese Qing Dynasty Period, Nephrite jade carved double dragon lidded censer. The Finest Chinese nephrite jade carved in covered censer, bulbous body, slight ovoid, gentle upward to slight flaring opening rim, raised on splayed foot base, slight concave, open work carved double imperial dragon head handles emerged on the shoulder, each suspending the free ring. Having domed lid with myth Chinese beasts bud finial. Excellent craftsmanship is evident in the fine details. Nephrite has mottled appearance with scattered inclusions along with a beautiful transparent milk-white tone. The carving are superb, finely polished plain exterior, simply design yet elegant. Displays smooth and beautiful clean translucent even tone, moist milky appearance all over surfaces. A portion of this high-grade Jade is considered quite rare. Expert workmanship is the absolute highlight of this gorgeous censer. The Chinese developed a sophisticated art form with incense burning like with tea and calligraphy called xiangdao. It involves various paraphernalia and utensils in various ceramic containers utilized to burn incense. Xiangbang means incense stick joss stick. Two incense synonyms specifying religious offerings to ancestors or deities are gaoxiang, high incense and gongxiang, offering incense. Notes: Jade is precious because it is rare, and because the quality of jade corresponds to virtue. It relates to such virtues as benevolence, wisdom, righteousness, propriety, loyalty, and trustworthiness, and it also corresponds to the ways of the heaven and earth. Jade is mild and gentle, just like a benevolence. Jade has a fine texture yet it is solid, just like a wise person; with a careful, meticulous and thorough way of handling things. Though jade has edges and corners, it is not sharp and will not hurt others, resembling a sense of justice and uprightness. When the jade is hung, it symbolizes polite restraint and prudence. When it is struck, it releases a clear and spirited sound like music. Though jade is beautiful, blemishes do not obscure its merits. Just like loyalty, it is without bias and without the need to conceal. In addition, the color of jade can be seen from all angles. Just like trustworthiness, a person's behavior is consistent with words. Even in a darkened room, a person is trustworthy and does not cheat others. Jade is crystal like, glittering and translucent as a white rainbow, like the white clouds of heaven, which harmonize the heavens and correspond to heavenly principles. The spirit of the jade can be seen in the landscape, like ‘when jade lies in a deep pool, it makes the river enchanting. When jade rests on the mountain, the grass becomes luxuriant.’ Wherever located, it is bound to have an effect, just like a noble demeanor can harmonize many things and benefit the whole region. People everywhere cherish jade, which is because people respect and admire virtue. The noble virtues are the manifestation of heavenly principles. Dimensions: Height: 126mm Width:191mm Weight:766g