A MARBLE-INSET LACQUERED HARDWOOD INCENSE STAND, XIANGJI, 19TH CENTURYChina. Of hexagonal form, the top neatly inset with a white marble panel, supported on six scrolling feet joined by a hexagonal base stretcher, the shaped apron decorated with a foliate design, the legs with ruyi and archaistic scroll.Provenance: Swiss trade.Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, few small nicks, and light scratches.Weight: 7.9 kgDimensions: Height 83.5 cmIncense stands, both in lacquer and hardwood, are seen in a variety of forms, including round, square, foliate, hexagonal, and octagonal. They are constructed with between three and six legs. Round examples appear to be the mostmon type, while hexagonal stands are considerably rarer.The Chinese have burned incense and aromatics since the Han dynasty. Censers were used for both secular and religious purposes and held a variety of aromatic substances, some to be burned as incense, others to more slowly release their scent. These censers were used to freshen interiors and could be placed in imperial offices, private residences, places of wor or used outdoors. To support censers, incense stands became a standard piece of furniture for any individual who could afford luxury goods. Incense stands tend to be tall and symmetrical in form. They were generally placed away from the wall and centrally located within an interior space, to allow for the effective diffusion of scent. Though the name, incense stand, implies a specific use, Ming-dynasty prints show the incense stand used for numerous purposes, including the display of scholar’s rocks, flowers, and decorative objects.Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: London, 11 May 2021, lot 387Price: GBP 3,187 or approx.EUR 4,200 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: A hongmu octagonal stand, xiangji, 19th centuryExpert remark: Note the octagonal form and larger size (129 cm)Auction resultparison:Type: RelatedAuction: Christie’s Paris, 10 December 2020, lot 152Price: EUR 137,500 or approx.EUR 155,000 adjusted for inflation at the time of writingDescription: Hardwood stand, Xiangji, China, Qing dynasty or laterExpert remark:pare the related manner of carving with similar scroll decoration, material, and size (86.3 cm). Note the circular form.十九世紀鑲漢白玉木香几中國。六角形，面攢框鑲漢白玉石板，光素高束腰，蓬牙披水，壼門式樣，其上浮雕如意紋，三彎腿，翻足落於六角形形托泥之上，六足。