Octagonal Covered Censor and Stand (Marco Polo Vessel)

This octagonal, covered incense box and stand exemplifies the refinement of Dehua porcelain, or blanc de chine, made in China’s Fujian province. This type of porcelain is also known as a “Marco Polo Vessel” due to its resemblance to the Chinese porcelain described by Venetian explorer Marco Polo in his account of his travels through Asia. Molded with floral reliefs and covered in a luminous cream-white glaze, this vesselreflects the purity and delicacy that made Dehua wares highly prized abroad. From the 17th century, such porcelain captivated European collectors and directly inspired early experiments at the porcelain manufactory in Meissen, Germany, and others across Europe.