There were a great varieties of lamps in ancient China, the best of which was the palace lamp for imperial household. Changxin Palace Lamp of Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) is a veritable treasure.

It was excavated from the tomb of Liu Sheng and his wife in Mancheng of Hebei, and was named for the fact that the characters Changxin Jia were carved on it. This lamp is believed to have been used in the Changxin Palace of Han Dynasty. Now it is in the collection of Museum of Hebei province, China.

Changxin Palace Lamp is made of bronze and is gold-coated. The shape of the lamp is that of a palace maid. The maid wears a calm and gentle expression, and her dress is rather impressive. She holds a lamp in her left hand, while the wide sleeve of right arm covers the top of the lamp so as to create a shade. When the lamp is lit, candle smoke would go through the sleeve into the hollow body, this prevent smoke from polluting the air of the room. The head and the right arm of the maid can be removed for cleaning. The lamp plate can be turned and the lampshade can be opened and closed to adjust the amount and direction of light.