-Space Heater c. 1890

This “Space Heater” was made from cast iron by an anonymous maker at an unknown date. Although it is called a "Space Heater", it would have been used to burn incense. Its pagoda-like form and ornamentation suggest that it was made for export to the West. This sculpture speaks to the ways that non-western art has been interpreted and repurposed by western institutions and consumers. The design, which combines traditional forms with a practical function for western homes, reveals the complex interplay of cultural exchange, economic incentives, and colonial power dynamics that shape the art market. The object's association with warmth and comfort is also revealing about a desire to bring some warmth into western homes through foreign objects. To better understand the artistic, economic, and social context of this object, historians would want to research the history of cast iron production, trade routes between East Asia and the West, and the collecting habits of western consumers during the period in which it was produced. In doing so, we learn about the power of art to reflect and shape cultural values.