Burner

Item number Edz1008 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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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.