Covered tripod incense burner, China, 18th century Made of white-glazed porcelain, it has a flattened spherical shape resting on three curved legs, each emerging from a mythological animal mask modeled in relief and enhanced with iron-red glaze and gilding. The body is fitted with two opposing handles shaped like Buddhist lion heads (shizi), their mouths open, designed to hold rings that are now missing. The neck is accented by a frieze of foliage painted in iron red and highlighted with gold. It is topped by a hardwood lid finely carved with a design of plant scrolls, surmounted by a red soapstone knob depicting a flower. The underside is unglazed, revealing the bisque. Old labels from the gallery of Mrs. F. Langweil, 4 Boulevard des Italiens in Paris, and from the Alexis Rouart collection. Height without lid: 12.5 cm; Height with lid: 16.5 cm; outer neck diameter: 12 cm The two rings on the handles are missing; there is a slight chip on the upper rim, and wear on the gilding and enamels.