|
Censer of compressed globular form with a flared rim and a channel footring. On the base a flower spray within a double ring. The inside plain. On the exterior four seated monks separated by four characters reading A Mi Tuo Fo (Amitabha). A pine branch border below the rim.
The form of this censer has its origins in the 16th century. Amitabha is known as the Buddha of Boundless Light, worshipped by the Pure Land sect. The Buddhist monks are carrying fly-whisks to wave away flies as in concordance with their creed they are not allowed to kill any living creature. A bowl painted with these characters while the bodhisattva Guanyin and three monks are placed in between is in the Shanghai Museum. A somewhat smaller censer of a similar shape decorated with the Eighteen Luohans, the personal disciples of the Buddha is also in the Shanghai Museum.
| 
)
)