Vase from an altar set for offerings

This set of gilt and enamel cloisonné vessels is comprised of an incense burner in the center flanked by pairs of candlesticks and flower vases. These types of vessels were used—in various religions—to hold offerings on altars. They would have been lined up on the altar table in a temple, an imperial mausoleum or for ancestor worship as displaying here.

The set exemplifies Chinese ritual objects that were modeled with fine artisanship after ancient sacred bronzes. The lidded burner derives from the food tripod known as ding, and the flower vases take the form of a gu, or wine goblet.