Incense burner (boshanlu)
Place of OriginHenan province, China
Date206 BCE-9 CE
PeriodWestern Han period (206 BCE-9 CE)
MaterialsEarthenware
DimensionsH. 9 in x Diam. 7 1/4 in, H. 22.9 cm x Diam. 18.4 cm
Credit LineThe Avery Brundage Collection
Object numberB60P203
DepartmentChinese Art
ClassificationsCeramics
On View
On viewLocationGallery 15
More InformationIncense Burners and Mountain Paradises
In the Han dynasty incense burners and some vessels were shaped like mountains with magical animals among the peaks. The openings in the burners were designed in such a way that the smoke coming through them would look like clouds. The clouds symbolize cosmic energy or qi. The entire scene represents an immortal paradise.
approx. 100-419
approx. 25-100
206 BCE-9 CE
206 BCE-9 CE
approx. 1650-1750
