Han · Boshan Censer and Incense Burner
Incense vessels of the Han Dynasty are represented by the Boshan censer; the form of immortal mountains and clouds carries the belief in longevity.
Han · Boshan Censer and Incense Burner
Boshan Censer
The lid is pierced with immortal mountains, clouds, and beasts; when incense is burned, smoke curls from the mountain crevices like the mist of immortal mountains on the sea. Mostly gilt bronze; surviving examples from Weiyang Palace and the tomb of Liu Sheng, Prince Jing of Zhongshan, make it the most representative artifact of Han incense practices, also used as a burial object.
Bamboo-Joint Censer
The Western Han "Gilt Silver Bamboo-Joint Bronze Censer," with a handle shaped like bamboo joints and inscribed "Neizhe Weiyang Shangwo," was an item of Weiyang Palace, reflecting the palace incense system.
Incense Cage / Warming Stove
Charcoal fire was used to warm and scent clothing and bedding, serving both for warmth and scenting in palace chambers; it is the prototype of later hand warmers.