Covered incense burner with archaistic patterns

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The object is a covered incense burner with archaistic patterns. It has a square base with three legs, each resembling an animal's claw. The legs are connected to the base by carvings of animal heads. The body of the burner has two large rectangular panels on the front and back with intricate designs featuring dragons or snakes amidst foliage and scrollwork, bordered by a Greek key pattern. The sides have similar designs but are narrower. The lid is domed and decorated with scrollwork and a Greek key border. Two curved handles protrude from the back of the lid. A small animal figure sits atop the lid, possibly a mythical creature like a qilin or a dragon, with a flame or fin on its head. The entire piece appears to be made of metal with a white or light-colored material possibly used for accents.