FINE Antique JAPANESE MEIJI PERIOD Bronze Portable Hand Warmer

  
This is a Fine Antique Japanese Meiji Period Portable Bronze Hand Warmer in Relief and Well Decorated, With a Hinged Overhead Handle. The Removable Lid is Pierced and Ornately Decorated in a Vine and Leaf Motif.

The Face Sides Feature Two Different Decorations in Relief. The Piece is in Good Condition For Its Antique Age Showing a Beautiful Patina.

The Underside of the Lid Shows Possible Signs of Minor Repair (see picture). Measures 7"x6"x4(17.78cm x 15.4cm x 10.16cm). Made of bronze or ceramics, ancient hand warmers had a variety of designs. Round, square and octagonal shapes are typical, with some fashioned to look like pumpkins, flowers and turtle shells.

Inside a hand warmer, there were burning charcoal or simple coals. Some coals were blended with fragments and pressed into flower shapes, emitting a pleasant scent when burned.