Needing info on this item please

I'm trying to figure out what year this is and also the type of metal. I thought it was bronze or cast iron, but it has turned colors over the years. It has some green and gold in it also. The imprint is on bottom but don't even know where to start looking to get any information.

 

Hello Angel Ray.
You can tell if there is any iron in it by using a magnet - if there is iron, the magnet will be attracted to it.
However, green corrosion products are usually an indicator of copper or a copper based alloy - bronze or brass.
It is difficult to tell if the "gold" areas are actually the remains of gold, or if it is shiny/less corroded areas of the base metal (the bronze/brass). The surface looks somewhat suspicious to me - too muddled with various colors. As if it has been treated in some way to appear "antique". Can you tell us something about its history?

 

OK, I give up! What is it?? An incense burner???

 

Welcome to the Forum, Angel!
What an adorable Avatar!

 

I think it is a censer. Put coals in the lower portion, and aromatic resins or other materials in the upper cup.

 

i concur...

 

Welcome to the antiquers, Angel Ray.

I agree, it has been made to look old. Very decorative piece though.

 

Welcome to Antiquers Angel!

 

My husband bought it at a yard sale probably 12 years ago. It used to be all black it has just turned colors over the years. Yes it does magnetize. Yes it is a censer pot, I do know that from doing research of it. Really need to get the writing on bottom
deciphered to know where it is from.

 

@Any Jewelry, do you recognize the marks on the bottom, or can you suggest someone who might?

As for the metal, is has got me puzzled. I do not know of any iron based metal that would generate those colors of corrosion. @Angel Ray, is it magnetic all over, or just certain parts?

 

Yes the whole piece is magnetic.

 

I suspect it is a manufacturer's mark, probably an apocryphal version of an old mark. But I can't say for sure, I don't know Chinese marks on magnetic metals, and don't know of anyone who would know.