銅鐵缸 Copper and iron vats / 中國北京故宫 Forbidden City, Beijing, China / SML.20140430.6D.31431.P1
Copper and iron vats (銅鐵缸) were part of the fire-fighting equipment in the palace. They were filled with water to be used to douse fires. From October to February every year, the vats were covered with quilts to prevent water freezing, and on very cold days they would be heated by charcoal fires.
The oldest vats were cast during the Hongzhi reign period (1488-1505) of the Ming Dynasty. Each of the Ming Dynasty vats has two simple iron rings. The Qing Dynasty vats (pictured) have two beast-shaped bronze rings, a big belly and a small mouth.
The Palace has a total of 308 copper and iron vats of various sizes. Of them, 18 are copper vats inlaid with gold, which are located on both sides of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿 Tai He Dian), the Hall of Preserved Harmony (保和殿 Bao He Dian) and the Gate of Heavenly Purity (乾清門 Qian Qing Men).
Photographed near the Hall of Supreme Harmony with the the Canon EOS 6D + Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM.
銅鐵缸 Copper and iron vats / 中國北京故宫 Forbidden City, Beijing, China / SML.20140430.6D.31431.P1
銅鐵缸 Copper and iron vats / 中國北京故宫 Forbidden City, Beijing, China / SML.20140430.6D.31431.P1
Copper and iron vats (銅鐵缸) were part of the fire-fighting equipment in the palace. They were filled with water to be used to douse fires. From October to February every year, the vats were covered with quilts to prevent water freezing, and on very cold days they would be heated by charcoal fires.
The oldest vats were cast during the Hongzhi reign period (1488-1505) of the Ming Dynasty. Each of the Ming Dynasty vats has two simple iron rings. The Qing Dynasty vats (pictured) have two beast-shaped bronze rings, a big belly and a small mouth.
The Palace has a total of 308 copper and iron vats of various sizes. Of them, 18 are copper vats inlaid with gold, which are located on both sides of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (太和殿 Tai He Dian), the Hall of Preserved Harmony (保和殿 Bao He Dian) and the Gate of Heavenly Purity (乾清門 Qian Qing Men).
Photographed near the Hall of Supreme Harmony with the the Canon EOS 6D + Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8L USM.
銅鐵缸 Copper and iron vats / 中國北京故宫 Forbidden City, Beijing, China / SML.20140430.6D.31431.P1