The Nanbo Two Han Dynasty Bronze Lamps

Lamps are devices used for illumination. From bonfires and torches to the creation of lamps specifically for lighting, it has been a long journey. According to historical records, by the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods at the latest, China had already seen the emergence of specialized lighting fixtures. Entering the Han Dynasty, the development of lamps entered a golden age. Not only were there a multitude of lamps with various shapes, but the craftsmanship was also exquisite. In terms of materials used, there were lamps made of bronze, iron, pottery, ceramic, jade, stone, and more; in terms of design features, there were bean-shaped lamps, plate lamps, portable lamps, multi-branched lamps, hanging lamps, and 'gang' lamps, to name just a few. Among these, the 'gang' lamp, unique to the Han Dynasty, was considered a marvel among Han Dynasty lamps due to its advanced design concept and the rarity of excavated specimens. The word '釭' originally meant a hollow metal tube, which was mostly used as a part in vehicles and buildings before the Han Dynasty. It wasn't until the Han Dynasty that craftsmen incorporated bent and hollow tubes into lamp designs specifically for smoke exhaust, hence this type of lamp was called a 'gang lamp'.