Important Japanese Bronze Incense Burner

It represents a seated figure carrying over his head a tripod bowl of incense burner.
It is decorated with 4 finely chiselled dragons among stylized waves and 2 phoenixes with spread wings. A beautiful golden patina highlights the quality and rarity of this piece.
The lid is pierced and surmounted by a finial as a Buddhist lion.
The set is multiple patinas and gilding of good quality. The expression of the character as well as the finesse of the fingers and hands reveal a high quality artist.
A chiseled signature in a square is on the back of the figure.
Period: Meiji (1868-1912) late 19th century.