Double Handled Brass Longevity Brazier

Incised into repeating peach forms, this 19th-century brass brazier once warmed the hands of a nobleman or member of the literati. In traditional Chinese culture the peach symbolizes longevity. Filled with coal, the brazier took the chill off northern China’s cold winters. The symbols on the top and intended use of this beloved object combine unusually well. The warmth would help the scholar maintain comfortable focus, while the peach symbols reminded him to be patient in his studies. Made of brass that has aged with rich character, the brazier lives on as a spirited sculptural object.