Pair of Gold Crane Censers

Made of gold, each crane stands on a pedestal with its head raised up in what appears to be a posture of calling. The entire body is chiseled with a feather pattern. The abdomen is hollow so as to accommodate incense. The wings are ingeniously designed to serve as lids for the incense compartment. The incense smoke would rise through the crane's hollow neck and whirl out through the open mouth. The censer was an indispensible furnishing in the grand halls of the imperial palace.