This incense burner has a cover with a Buddhist lion. The body of the censer is inscribed with the characters '天后圣母' (tian hou sheng mu), suggesting that it was dedicated to Mazu, Goddess of the Sea and protector of seafarers. It was commissioned by members of the Kiung Chow Hwee Kuan (琼州会馆) in the 13th year of the Guangxu reign, a date equivalent to 1887. The Kiung Chow Hwee Kuan (Qiongzhou clan association) was formed by the Hainanese community in Singapore in 1854. The incense burner was probably used at Tin Hou Kong Temple which shared the association’s Beach Road address.
