Publication Date
2nd century AH/8AD AD
Publication Place
-
Now on display at the Jordan Museum
Subject
Iron and bronze/mould-alloy.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الطول: 58 سم؛ الارتفاع: 47 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
J.15700-15707
Record ID
object;ISL;jo;Mus01;6;ar
Library Location
Jordanian Archaeological Museum
Date
2nd century AH/8AD AD
Notes
This iron and bronze incense burner dates back to the 2nd/8th century, and is one of the most famous and most complete of the Umayyad standing fireplaces found in Jordan. Its importance is due to the completion of workmanship by the craftsman and the precision in performance and workmanship, especially the relief engraving and small statues. The front facade of the brazier contains six niches surrounded by arches rising above columns. The sexual scenes that appear in the niches may represent the legend of Dionysius. The censer stands on four eagles, and the upper corners show four statues of naked women holding a bird in their left hand. The combination of iron and bronze forms a perfect harmony between the shape and design of the piece. Perhaps the arched sides of the piece remind one of the arched porticoes found in Qusayr Amra. The sexual scenes depicted also remind one of the frescoes in the cold room from Qusayr Amra. As for the eagles carrying the censer, and the statues of naked women, each of which stands on a narrow base at a height of 47 cm, they are considered an important part of oriental painting, which is a mixture of Sasanian art and Greco-Roman art. Bronze censers played an important role in the ceremonies of the Umayyad court. The brazier was used to heat the Caliph’s room, and an incense burner may also have been used in the palace.
Sample Text
Aida Naghawy “Censer” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;jo;Mus01;6;ar
