brazier n : large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned; warms people who must stay outside for long times [syn: brasier]

English

Noun

1. An upright standing or hanging metal bowl used for holding burning coal for a source of light or heat.
2. A worker in brass.

A brazier is a container for fire, generally taking the form of an upright standing or hanging metal bowl or box. Used for holding burning coal as well as fires, a brazier allows for a source of light, heat, or cooking. Braziers have been reported in many early archaeological excavations, for example the Nimrud brazier recently recovered by the Iraqi National Museum dating back to at least 824 BCE.http://www.archaeological.org/pdfs/papers/J_Russell_recovery.pdf

Braziers are mentioned in the Bible. The Hebrew word rendered “brazier” (´ach) is of Egyptian origin, suggesting that the brazier itself was an innovation from Egypt. It appears that in the better homes the brazier was preferred to a depression in the floor of the house, in which a fire could be built. King Jehoiakim had a brazier, probably one made of metal, in his winter house( Jer 36:22,23). At some churches, a brazier is used to create a small fire, called new fire, which is then used to light the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil. It is also said by Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxochitl that the Tepanec Tlatoani (Basically a king but literally meaning "Great Speaker") Tezozomoc, slept between two Braziers because he was so old he produced no natural heat.

Rose and grapevine trimmings make very good charcoal for braziers and when burned moist give out even greater aroma.

The brazier used in the Japanese tea ceremony is called a hibachi.