Antique Chinese small bronze censer in the form of a recumbent qilin. Possible used as a brush rest or for burning incense. Open on the bottom, the incense smoke would have come up through the qilin's open mouth. Subtle details include incised scales and a single horn.
17th Century: Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644)
Dimensions: 3" high x 3 1/4" long
Chinese Ming Dynasty Small Bronze Censer of Qilin
$1,600.00
https://zentnercollection.com/product/chinese-ming-dynasty-small-bronze-censer-of-qilin/