Perfected during the Xuande period, when it belonged to the evolutionary form of the bronze li, the stove is hand-rolled and shaped, with the ears glued and then carved, and the three legs hand-carved. The entire piece is glazed with a grass-gray antique glaze and reduction-fired at high temperature; after the porcelain is formed, it is hand-painted in alum-red and placed into the kiln a second time; upon exiting the kiln, it is adorned with pure gold and mimics the Ming crosses and clouds; it is fired three times to obtain the finished product. Ideal for incense seal making, incense flakes, and fire smoking.
