Bo Shan Lu
Western Han dynasty (1st century BC)
Height: 28 cmThe hill-shaped cover of this incense burner is pierced to allow the scented smoke to diffuse into the air. Apart from being used in a scholarís study and ritual ceremonies, incense burners were also used to fumigate clothes before perfume and other aromatic herbs were applied. It was a social courtesy in ancient China to fumigate oneís clothes before the emperor or other dignitaries.