Censer

As incense smoke burner (Ch博山(香)炉; BOSHAN ( xiang ) lu ) are referred to in China common vessels for burning fragrant substances.

Usage

The scent of smoke burners were used for one of the private contemplation of members of the nobility, but were also used for religious ceremonies. In southern China, they gave them sometimes the deceased alongside other artifacts as grave goods with the last journey.

Form

Incense smoke burners first came during the Han Dynasty in use. At that time it consisted mostly of a cup-shaped vessel with a lower shell to which a tapered cap was set. This typically took the form of a mountain, which was often, sometimes even presented quite detailed pieces of rock walls and vegetation with humans and animals. The particular resulting from combustion of herbs and resins smoke exited through small openings located in the mountain, making the association of rising mist was created for the viewer.

The popularity of mountain shape is related to the traditionally large religious and mythological significance of mountains in Chinese culture. So true in Daoism as the Kunlun in the West as abode of Goddess Xi Wangmu and origin of the peaches of immortality, the mountain Fenglai in the East Sea as the seat of the Eight Immortals. Target of religious pilgrimages have always been the " Holy Mountain " of the country, the best known is the Taishan. After the establishment of Buddhism, the imaginary world mountain Meru joined them.

In later times, the mountain-shaped lid of the burner incense smoke have also been adopted for other vessels, such as those for the storage of wine. Conversely able to establish themselves in the scent of smoke burners also cover other forms. Under the influence of Buddhism about the lotus bud was very popular - which of course took up the rough shape of the mountain cap.

Material

Already because of the affinity for mountains were incense smoke burner usually made ​​of materials of mineral provenance; in use were based on various ceramic and earthenware types. Particularly precious and ultimately affordable only for the nobility and wealthy officials budgets pieces, however, were carved from a single piece of stone - then the mountain from which it comes, as it were represented in miniature. So to some of the leading scholars and artists of the Song Dynasty, Su Shi, a " cave sky - stone "; 've owned, which had its description after all the traits of a burner with incense smoke mountain shape lid (洞天 石Dongtian shi). Also in the collection of the Qing Emperor Kangxi, there were some outstanding pieces. Chance also smell smoke burner made ​​of metal were produced.