A Kashmiri mughal-style stippled bronze kangri

Item Information

Title:
A Kashmiri mughal-style stippled bronze kangri
Description:
Eight photographs from top, bottom and around the body of a stylized metal version of a Kashmiri kangri (coal fueled warmer) in typical Mughal dynasty form. Also sometimes called kanger or kangar. Used inside an overcoat-like cloak or as a hand warmer if more form-fitting attire is worn. Metalworked examples of the form are not common - the typical materials being reed covered pottery (insulating one from burns). It is believed this example was created sometime during the 19th century. The kangri is highly decorated with crisply chiseled details into the repousse decoration. The open worked, upper portion portrays a pair of pea fowl parading along the rim on a band of loops above loops of stylized ropes. Below the pea fowl is a band of flowers along the rim. The lower body portion is decorated with irises and intricate vines of morning glories and clematises among saz leaf paisleys forming a regular pattern atop a rather finely stippled ground. A flower head band again appears above a decorated, waisted foot with lattice worked, splayed rimmed base. The beautiful verdigris patina appears largely in the lattice work and the interior. The rest of the body, fowl, and stylized ropes show an alternating glint of polished bronze and dull patina of dark brown. The history of personal hand warmers goes back in time for as long as humans have needed to stay warm. The style of brazier represented here originates from Northern India and is representative of a style popular during the Mughal empire (1555-1857), they are usually constructed of ceramic and covered in reeds. Braziers that are used exclusively for incense are known as censers. Kanger has deep roots in Kashmiri culture and its folklore. Just as a person is first greeted with a glass of water in hot climate areas, in winter every visitor to a Kashmiri family is provided with the warmth of kanger. A host feels proud sharing this display of traditional warmth. One Kashmiri poem says, ‘why should an individual share his kangri with a stranger’?. The item belonged to Dr. Josephine Rathbone and was given to Teresa Regina who later donated it to the Springfield College Archives and Special Collections in 2017;
Date:
[1840?–1952?]
Format:
Objects/Artifacts
Genre:
Physical Object
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Rathbone, Josephine Langworthy, 1899-1989
Kashmir and Jammu (India)
Metalwork
Bronze industry
Heat
Fire
Antiques
Flowers
Birds
Stipple engravings
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/19354
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Identifier:
ms529-01-06-002
Karpovich-incense-burner