Vintage Japanese Cast Metal Owl Incense Burner / Censer
Removable Head • MCM / Mid-Century Style • Marked JAPAN
Fantastic vintage Japanese figural owl incense burner featuring a highly detailed cast-metal body, removable owl-head lid and pierced smoke vents.
The owl has beautifully sculpted overlapping feathers, large circular eyes, a pronounced beak and a dark silver-tone antiqued finish that highlights the feather detail.
The removable head lifts completely off to reveal the hollow incense chamber. A cone incense can be placed inside the body, allowing smoke to escape through the owl's open eye pupils and small vent holes along the body — a wonderfully clever piece of vintage Japanese decorative design.
DETAILS:
• Vintage Japanese owl incense burner / censer
• Cast metal construction with silver-tone antiqued finish
• Removable owl-head lid
• Pierced eyes and body vents allow incense smoke to escape
• Embossed / raised "JAPAN" mark
• Original blue felt-covered base
• Highly detailed feather and facial decoration
• Mid-Century Modern / retro Japanese export styling
Approximately 3.5" H x 2" W
Compact size makes this a great display piece for a shelf, desk, meditation space, altar, curio cabinet or collection.
CONDITION:
Mint vintage condition with normal age-related patina, oxidation and tonal variation to the metal surface.
No chips, cracks, breaks or repairs. The removable head fits properly and the original blue felt base remains intact.
The interior is remarkably clean. I cannot determine with certainty whether incense was ever burned inside, so it is not being represented as unused.
Please review all photographs closely for the exact condition, finish, markings and construction of the piece.
MARKINGS:
Clearly marked "JAPAN."
COLLECTOR NOTES:
Decorative metal animal incense burners were among the many novelty and home-decor objects exported from Japan during the mid-20th century. Owl designs became especially associated with the Mid-Century and later retro decorative periods.
This example is particularly charming because the owl's head serves as the removable lid while the eyes and body vents become part of the working incense-burner design.
A fun collectible for lovers of vintage Japanese decor, owl collectibles, Mid-Century Modern accessories, incense burners, censers, meditation decor, boho interiors and unusual figural metalware.
A complimentary box of HEM incense cones is included so the burner can be enjoyed or gifted immediately.
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