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I have a small (3.5"x2") censer. From the research I have done online, it appears to be bronze of the Chinese Hsuan te period. It is old and nicely caste with well defined molding of identifying marks on both the interior and exterior base, but I have no way of knowing its true age. On the minute possibility that it is what it claims to be, can you please tell me what my next step would be in testing it? Thank you.

It is very difficult to determine the approximate age of your censer based solely on one picture.
The lack of aged patina suggests late 19th century at best imo. However, it was known/common in the early 20th century for people to polish their bronzes etc.
You could try the major auction houses or other for clarification.
Another source is Peter Coombs from bidamount.com website under 2nd opinion. He charges a very modest fee for said opinion and his opinion is well respected amongst dealers and collectors alike.
mark@imperial

Thank you very much for your response, Mark.

I took a few more photos. Are these helpful? The shot of the inside rim with remaining patina and interior ridge in the casting.

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