Culture
2025.06.28 13:57 GMT+8

Ancient Chinese ways to stay cool: Gilded silver censer with openwork

Updated 2025.06.28 13:57 GMT+8
CGTN

Ancient Chinese people used censers to stay cool during summer. /CGTN

Ancient Chinese people used censers to stay cool during summer. /CGTN

Ancient Chinese people used censers to stay cool during summer. /CGTN

Ancient Chinese people used censers to stay cool during summer. /CGTN

During the Tang Dynasty, about 1,100 to 1,400 years ago, people used fragrant pouches not only for scent, but also to refresh their minds and ward off summer humidity.

This gilded silver censer is composed of two hemispheres joined by a hidden gimbal structure. No matter how the wearer moved, the incense inside stayed level and didn't spill. The openwork bird-and-flower design allowed the scent to slowly diffuse – combining function and elegance in one refined object.

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