{"product_id":"han-dynasty-boshanlu-incense-burner-206-bce-220-ce","title":"Han Dynasty Boshanlu Incense Burner | Ancient China | 206 BCE–220 CE","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Context \u0026amp; Origin\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRegion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e China\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCulture:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Han Dynasty\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Grey earthenware with traces of red pigment\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Han Dynasty, 206 BCE–220 CE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDescription\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis ancient Chinese \u003c\/span\u003eboshanlu-type incense burner dates to the Han dynasty, 206 BCE–220 CE. Wheel-made in grey earthenware, the vessel was constructed from several separately formed components joined together to create its distinctive tiered profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe base consists of a bell-shaped foot with incised decoration, supporting a broad shallow dish with a moulded rim. Above this rises a stem with a pronounced knop, terminating in a cup with a collar and narrow opening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTraces of the original red pigment remain visible on portions of the surface. The burner’s original cover is no longer present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe form belongs to the broader tradition of boshanlu incense burners\u003cspan\u003e, an important category of Han-period ritual and domestic objects associated with the burning of incense.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeatures\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWheel-made grey earthenware\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstructed from several joined components\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBell-shaped foot with incised decoration\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBroad shallow dish with moulded rim\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCentral stem with decorative knop\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUpper cup with collar and narrow mouth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eTraces of original \u003c\/span\u003ered pigment\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal cover no longer present\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCultural Significance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncense burners were important objects in Han dynasty China and were used in domestic, funerary, and ceremonial settings. The \u003c\/span\u003eboshanlu\u003cspan\u003e form became particularly associated with Han-period incense culture and the development of increasingly elaborate vessels designed for burning aromatic substances.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis example preserves the characteristic multi-part construction and elevated profile associated with the type, while its surviving pigment provides evidence of its original decorative treatment.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAncient condition with \u003c\/span\u003eheavy surface wear, mineral accretions, areas of surface loss, and evidence of past repair. Traces of red pigment survive in places. The original cover is missing. Additional age-related abrasions and encrustation are present throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3893\" data-start=\"3879\" data-section-id=\"bpec4l\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (Approximate) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3966\" data-start=\"3895\"\u003eHeight: 7.25 in\u003cbr data-end=\"3931\" data-start=\"3928\"\u003eDiameter: 7.25 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3980\" data-start=\"3973\" data-section-id=\"1xxfcf9\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAge (Approximate) \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4021\" data-start=\"3982\"\u003e2,600–3,200 years old\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"4021\" data-start=\"3996\"\u003eProvenance \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4021\" data-start=\"3982\"\u003eAcquired from a Palm Beach, Florida estate collection. The collection contained a substantial assemblage of ancient and historical oil lamps assembled over several decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe piece was later examined by \u003c\/span\u003eLuca Salvaggio, an Italian archaeologist and specialist in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern material. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma from the Italian Archaeological School at Athens (IASA) and is accredited for preventive archaeology by the Italian Ministry of Culture (MiC). Salvaggio identified the vessel as a Chinese Han dynasty boshanlu-type incense burner, dating to 206 BCE–220 CE, based on its wheel-made grey earthenware construction, bell-shaped foot, broad shallow dish, central stem with knop, upper cup, and surviving traces of red pigment. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearn More\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExplore research into ancient Near Eastern ceremonial vessels and residue analysis through \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"Organic Residue Analysis of Ancient Near Eastern Pottery – Scientific Reports\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-017-00701-y\"\u003eScientific Reports\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrowse our curated \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca title=\"Middle Eastern Antiquities \u0026amp; Ancient Art – Relic \u0026amp; Rarity\" href=\"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/collections\/middle-eastern-antiquities-ancient-art\/Middle-Eastern-Antiquities-\u0026amp;-Ancient-Art\"\u003eMiddle Eastern Antiquities \u0026amp; Ancient Art Collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54517021049154,"sku":null,"price":1000.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0955\/1803\/2194\/files\/Ancient-Eastern-Mediterranean-Terracotta-Pede-1474.png?v=1791242279","url":"https:\/\/relicandrarity.com\/products\/han-dynasty-boshanlu-incense-burner-206-bce-220-ce","provider":"Relic \u0026 Rarity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}