This cylindrical green censer made of porcelain, belongs to a group of altar vessels that consist of dishes, bowls, cups and spoons. In a Peranakan home, altar vessels were used for making offerings of food, flowers and wine, and also to burn candles and incense sticks as this example did. The vessels were laid out as if they were presenting a meal to the ancestors. The form and decorative elements of this incense burner evolved from the ritual bronze vessels of the Shang (c.1600-1027 BCE) and Zhou (1027-256 BCE) dynasties. During the Song dynasty (960-1279 CE) archaic-style vessels were used at the altar. They were also collected as heirlooms by the literati.
