A CHINESE LONGQUAN CELADON `LUDUAN` INCENSE BURNER AND COVER. Late Ming Dynasty. The head forming the cover moulded with a large snout and a single horn turned skywards, his mouth open to release smoke, the mane flowing down his throat, his ovoid body carved with strands imitating fur, fire wisps and a bell set to the chest, all supported on four short legs, together with a wood box, 16cm H. (3) Provenance: formerly from a Japanese private collection. 明晚期 龍泉青釉 甪端香蓋爐 來源： 日本私人收藏。 The luduan , the Chinese unicorn, is often mistaken for the qilin but is known for its ability to ascertain the truth, master any language and also to cover large distances quickly. Censers of this type are commonly found in bronze, but ceramic versions are rare. For another example see Chinese Celadons and other Related Wares in South East Asia , Southeast Asian Ceramics Society, Singapore, 1979, cat no 279, pl 230.