Imperial Garden Incense Burner
This incense burner was in the northernmost reaches of the Forbidden City in the Imperial Garden. Note how much finer the finished detail is here compared with the one seen in my previous post in this stream. I note from more modern photos online that the burner is now protected by an iron railing keeping the public back, presumably to avoid the sort of touching (and presumably resultant wear and tear) seen above.
Built during the Ming dynasty in 1417, the rectangular garden is some 130m x 90m. It was a private refuge for the imperial family and as such is a classic example of Chinese garden design. It has about 20 buildings, each of a different style, and the ways in which they harmonise with trees, rock gardens, flower beds and sculptural objects such as bronze incense burners are intended to promote great harmony.
The pavilions at each of the garden's four corners symbolise the four seasons. The most famous, symbolising spring, occupies the north-eastern corner. Nearby you can climb a small artificial hill, with a cave. It is dominated by the Imperial Vision Pavilion (Yujingyuan). Emperors rarely went up there. The paths are paved with varied patterns made of coloured pebbles, symbolising luck and fortune. At the northern end of the garden is Shenwumen, the Divine Power Gate, and the rear exit of the Forbidden City.
Imperial Garden Incense Burner
This incense burner was in the northernmost reaches of the Forbidden City in the Imperial Garden. Note how much finer the finished detail is here compared with the one seen in my previous post in this stream. I note from more modern photos online that the burner is now protected by an iron railing keeping the public back, presumably to avoid the sort of touching (and presumably resultant wear and tear) seen above.
Built during the Ming dynasty in 1417, the rectangular garden is some 130m x 90m. It was a private refuge for the imperial family and as such is a classic example of Chinese garden design. It has about 20 buildings, each of a different style, and the ways in which they harmonise with trees, rock gardens, flower beds and sculptural objects such as bronze incense burners are intended to promote great harmony.
The pavilions at each of the garden's four corners symbolise the four seasons. The most famous, symbolising spring, occupies the north-eastern corner. Nearby you can climb a small artificial hill, with a cave. It is dominated by the Imperial Vision Pavilion (Yujingyuan). Emperors rarely went up there. The paths are paved with varied patterns made of coloured pebbles, symbolising luck and fortune. At the northern end of the garden is Shenwumen, the Divine Power Gate, and the rear exit of the Forbidden City.