Copper · Heavy and substantial, suitable for burning
Copper censers are heavy and durable, making them the main vessels for burning incense.
Copper · Heavy and substantial, suitable for burning
Boshan Censer (Han bronze with gilt gold)
The censer lid is openworked with immortal mountains and cloud vapors; when incense is burned, the smoke curls like immortal mountains on the sea. It is a representative of Han incense practice and was also used as a burial object.
Xuande Censer (Ming wind-polished copper)
Emperor Xuanzong had Siam wind-polished copper refined with gold, silver, and precious stones to cast censers; the patina is warm and smooth, and "Xuande censer" thus became a byname for copper incense burners, suitable for burning agarwood and sandalwood.
Hand Warmers and Copper Incense Spheres
Zhang Mingqi-style hand warmers can be tucked into sleeves; copper incense spheres (a legacy of the bed incense burner) use gimbals to keep the incense cup upright, and are hung in curtains to scent bedding.