Hand warmer

Warming utensils made of various mediums
and heated by wood or charcoal have been
used in China for centuries. These vessels,
made mainly of brass, can be round, spherical,
square, rectangular, elliptical, or polygonal
in shape. They were used to warm onefs
hands, feet, or bed, or to burn incense.
A hand warmer is usually composed
of an openwork lid.with or without a
handle.and a fuel container. This octagonal
hand warmer has vertical walls that curve
gently toward the shoulder. The slightly
domed lid, edged by a solid hoop, shows an
openwork design of flowers. The exterior
surface is smooth and lustrous, with a warm
patina due to years of handling. The rough
interior shows remnants of corrosion.
A native of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province,
Zhang Mingqi was recognized by his
contemporaries as one of the Four Distinguished
Craftsmen for his excellent skills in
making hand warmers and incense burners.
The other three were bamboo carver Pu
Cheng, inlaid-lacquerware maker Jiang
Qianli, and Yixing potter Shi Dabin. Zhangfs
warmers were described as being well
made, of a refined quality of brass, with
elaborate openwork and perfectly matching
at the rim.all features that can be seen in
this piece.
Inscription. At the center of the
base is a square seal mark in two columns:
Produced by Zhang Mingqi.