Burner Item Number: Edz1008 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Nearly spherical incense burner (a), on three cylindrical feet, each 1.5 cm high. At each side are handles shaped like elephant trunks (?), between which, on one side, is a raised design of flowers and birds; on the opposite side is a tree. Burner has a straight neck and a flat rim. Lid (b) has vertical projecting ridge which fits inside burner, and flat flange. Lid is hemispherical, perforated in cloud (?) design, with animal figure serving as handle. Burner and lid have yellow brown patina with dark brown and black areas.
History Of Use
Incense in the form of sticks or pieces of sandalwood is used as an offering to gods and ancestral spirits in Chinese culture. The ceremonial burning of incense may have been introduced to China with the increasing influence of Buddhism in the 3rd century C.E., if not earlier. This is a small burner, used perhaps in home worship.
Cultural Context
burning incense
Item History
- Made in China before 1953
- Collected between 1898 and 1953
- Owned by Marion Stephan
- Owned by Charles H. Stephan before January 10, 1977
- Received from Charles H. Stephan (Donor) on January 10, 1977
What
- Name
- Burner
- Identification Number
- Edz1008
- Type of Item
- burner
- Material
- bronze metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast
- Overall
- height 5.2 cm, diameter 6.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Marion Stephan and Charles H. Stephan
- Received from
- Charles H. Stephan (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- China
When
- Creation Date
- before 1953
- Collection Date
- between 1898 and 1953
- Ownership Date
- before January 10, 1977
- Acquisition Date
- on January 10, 1977
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0352/0165