Publication Date
17th century
Publication Place
-
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Subject
Bronze: Engraved
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
طول: 18.5 سم عرض: 13 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
FBQ.HH.7
Record ID
object;EPM;qt;Mus22;23;ar
Library Location
Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum
Date
17th century
Notes
The Chinese incense burner rests on three legs and is decorated with Arabic calligraphy, on which the Shahada is read. During the Qing Dynasty, this piece was used to freshen the air in a mosque in China. Although many Muslims in the region were unable to write Arabic script, Arabic script endured as an element of decoration, and since there were no Chinese characters to express the concept of one God, Arabic words provided an effective means of conveying religious messages. As seen on the seal visible at the bottom of the incense burner, craftsmen created Chinese Arabic script to indicate ownership or production. Today, the minority seeks Chinese Muslims seek to preserve their heritage, including rare pieces such as metal artifacts from the Qing Dynasty, which were either lost or destroyed over time.
Sample Text
Sarah Schroeder “Incense Burner” in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;qt;Mus22;23;ar
