A Showcase of Museums of Ancient China 1 Boshan furnace

In the Han Dynasty, the idea of seeking immortality was very popular, especially during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. The emperor and nobles revered the world of immortals, sending people to search for immortal mountains and refine pills to seek eternal life. The Boshan furnace is a microcosm of this idea, where when cigarettes rise, people seem to be sitting in the midst of a "sea of fairy mountains and clouds". Boshan furnaces are generally made of bronze, and the surface is often processed with staggered gold and silver techniques, that is, gold and silver threads or pieces with cloud patterns, mountain patterns, and animal patterns are embedded on the surface of the bronze ware. Used for burning spices, for incense, etiquette, and display in court or aristocratic life. Boshan furnace usually consists of three parts: ✨ Furnace cover (Boshan shape) - The layered mountain shape symbolizes the legendary sea fairy mountains, namely Penglai, Fangzhang, Yingzhou, fairy mountains, and the world of eternal life. The top of the furnace cover has a phoenix shaped button that can be lifted and opened. The mountain is hollowed out, and cigarettes rise from the pores, like a fairy mountain shrouded in clouds and mist. ✨ Furnace body - the main part that holds spices, shaped like beans or plates. ✨ Hearthstone - The bottom is often made of divine beast feet to support the furnace body, which is guarded by the spirit realm