Huge Japanese silver incense burner pushes Heritage sale to $1.5M

Detail of massive Japanese dragon-form incense burner featuring almost 45 pounds of nearly pure silver, $250,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com
Massive Japanese dragon-form incense burner featuring almost 45 pounds of nearly pure silver, $250,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com
Massive Japanese dragon-form incense burner featuring almost 45 pounds of nearly pure silver, $250,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com

DALLAS — The origin of the massive dragon incense burner that helped lead Heritage Auctions‘ Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu Signature ® Auction to a $1,501,201 finish on May 16 might be a mystery, but what’s no longer in question is the final selling price of this exceptional example of Japanese Meiji period craftsmanship. The dragon-form incense burner, which contains nearly 45 pounds of 99% pure silver, sold for $250,000, shattering its estimate of $70,000 and prompting an enthusiastic round of applause in the auction room.

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Japanese silver dragon-form censer of superb quality stars at Heritage, May 16

Meiji period Japanese silver dragon-form incense burner or censer, estimated at $50,000-$70,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com
Meiji period Japanese silver dragon-form incense burner or censer, estimated at $50,000-$70,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com
Meiji period Japanese silver dragon-form incense burner or censer, estimated at $50,000-$70,000. Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, ha.com

DALLAS — The Japanese silver incense burner that leads Heritage Auctions‘ Tuesday, May 16 Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu Signature® Auction is a giant among dragons. Created from nearly 45 pounds of 99% pure silver and accented with eyes of more than 22k gold, the piece, which hails from the Meiji period, holds an estimate of $50,000-$70,000 and is steeped in mystery. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

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