BronzeChina, Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. -A.D. 24)Dimensions: Height 41 cm Diameter 16 cmWeight: 2093 gramsBoshan censers are common in the Han Dynasty depicting the mountain Bo, a mythical land of immortality. Typical is the round base with animals, like here. The body is decorated with an eternal knot pattern. The lid has the typical mountain-shape with open-work landscape designs, topped by a bird also serving as knob. When the incense was lit, the smoke would raise from the open-work lid, creating a mountain covered in misty clouds.The idea of portraying a whole natural site in miniature form dates back at least to the Han period where it was associated with religious, folkloric and mystical beliefs belonging especially to Daoism.