Not currently on display at the V&A

Nickel Brazier, Spatula and Tongs

Incense Burner
1800-1940
Place of origin

A brazier, a spatula used for digging out embers or ash from the burner, and a pair of fire tongs for raking ashes or moving lumps of charcoal form a set. As a charcoal fire container, a brazier was used not only to heat a place in winter, preserve embers, boil stew or tea, but also to heat irons when sewing and ironing. Being portable, it was used in every corner of the house. In the late Joseon period, more brass braziers were manufactured, and richly decorated braziers were widely used by the upper class. This brazier is made of nickel and of an antique-shape. Each side of the body is framed with a fret pattern band and is mainly decorated with bats, Chinese characters and a plantain-leaf pattern. The bottom is filled with small ring patterns. The legs are decorated with lotus-scroll designs. The lid has a lotus-shaped knob and features a flower and bird pattern in openwork design. Four nails used to connect the body and foot can be seen, and there are traces of prior use. The spatula is also made of nickel and has a rectangular head. The fire tongs are made of nickel and tied to a ring to be kept together.


Object details

Object type
TitleNickel Brazier, Spatula and Tongs (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Met, Korea, vess/cont/holders
Dimensions
  • Height: 25.2cm
  • Width: 26.5cm
Style
Object history
Purchased from Mr. G. Koizumi (49 Moreton Place, S.W.), accessioned in 1911. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project.
Subjects depicted
Summary
A brazier, a spatula used for digging out embers or ash from the burner, and a pair of fire tongs for raking ashes or moving lumps of charcoal form a set. As a charcoal fire container, a brazier was used not only to heat a place in winter, preserve embers, boil stew or tea, but also to heat irons when sewing and ironing. Being portable, it was used in every corner of the house. In the late Joseon period, more brass braziers were manufactured, and richly decorated braziers were widely used by the upper class. This brazier is made of nickel and of an antique-shape. Each side of the body is framed with a fret pattern band and is mainly decorated with bats, Chinese characters and a plantain-leaf pattern. The bottom is filled with small ring patterns. The legs are decorated with lotus-scroll designs. The lid has a lotus-shaped knob and features a flower and bird pattern in openwork design. Four nails used to connect the body and foot can be seen, and there are traces of prior use. The spatula is also made of nickel and has a rectangular head. The fire tongs are made of nickel and tied to a ring to be kept together.
Bibliographic references
  • National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage
  • Korean Art Collection, Victoria and Albert Museum<#caret>
  • Daejeon: National Research Institue of Cultural Heritage
  • p.235
Collection
Accession number
M.392-1911

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Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
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