Incense Vessel Atlas · Volume Navigation
Chinese incense vessels arranged by dynasty: Han boshanlu, Tang silver incense sachets, Song porcelain censers and incense seals, Ming Xuande censers, Qing enamel censers—examining their forms and ritual systems dynasty by dynasty.
Volume Contents
- Close Reading of the Incense Vessel Chapter in Treatise on Superfluous Things: Wen Zhenheng's Aesthetics of Censers
- Han · Boshanlu and Incense Censers
- Tang · Gold and Silver Incense Sachets and Traveling Incense
- Song · Porcelain Censers and Incense Seals
- Ming · Xuande Censers and the Three Censer-and-Vase Articles
- Qing · Enamel Censers and Court Incense Practices
Incense vessels evolved with ritual systems, aesthetics, and lifestyles; they are both implements for burning incense and arts of the scholar's studio and display. This series is divided into volumes by dynasty, in conjunction withIncense Vessel Atlas Overview、Incense Vessel Recordmutually reflect each other.
Volumes by Material
In addition to dynasty, the character of incense vessels can also be viewed through "material": the weightiness of bronze, the clarity and elegance of porcelain, the warmth and smoothness of jade, the luxury of gold and silver, the simplicity of wood and bamboo. Examine the forms and uses of each material one by one:
- Incense Vessels · Volumes by Material (Bronze / Porcelain / Jade, Gold and Silver / Wood and Bamboo)
Incense Vessel Atlas · Volume Navigation
The following Q&A is compiled from content on this site for quick reference; descriptions of the medicinal properties of incense materials are traditional understandings and do not constitute medical advice.
How are the sub-volumes of the Incense Vessel Atlas divided?
In addition to the dynasty overview, volumes are also divided by "material" (bronze, porcelain, jade/gold/silver, wood/bamboo) and "vessel form" dimensions, making it easy to search for objects from different angles.
How do I choose a censer by vessel form?
Use a deep censer for incense burning, a seal censer for seal incense, and a tube censer or plate censer for stick incense; fire-insulated incense burning requires a wide censer mouth to place mica sheets. First determine the usage, then choose the vessel form.