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Brazier

Asian Art

On View: Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
The brazier would have held an oval cup with flanges, called an ear cup. To warm the wine in the ear cup, coals would have been placed underneath the brazier, with a tray to catch the ashes. The Animals of the Four Directions are: Red Bird of the South (zhuque); Dark Warrior of the North (xuanwu), made up of an entwined tortoise and snake; Green Dragon of the East (qinglong); and White Tiger of the West (baihu). They are auspicious images and also might provide a navigational compass for the celestial journey. They were used to decorate luxury goods, such as the brazier shown here.
MEDIUM Bronze
  • Place Made: China
  • DATES 206 B.C.E.–220 C.E.
    DYNASTY Han Dynasty
    PERIOD Han Dynasty
    DIMENSIONS 9 3/8 x 3 1/2 x 7 in. (23.8 x 8.9 x 17.8 cm)  (show scale)
    COLLECTIONS Asian Art
    ACCESSION NUMBER 73.125.1
    CREDIT LINE Gift of John J. Waterman in memory of Edwin Mathews Blumenthal
    EXHIBITIONS
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Asian Galleries, West, 2nd floor (China)
    CAPTION Brazier, 206 B.C.E.–220 C.E. Bronze, 9 3/8 x 3 1/2 x 7 in. (23.8 x 8.9 x 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of John J. Waterman in memory of Edwin Mathews Blumenthal, 73.125.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 73.125.1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 73.125.1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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     <em>Brazier</em>, 206 B.C.E.–220 C.E. Bronze, 9 3/8 x 3 1/2 x 7 in. (23.8 x 8.9 x 17.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of John J. Waterman in memory of Edwin Mathews Blumenthal, 73.125.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 73.125.1.jpg)