Publication Date
X-XI century
Publication Place
-
Bumler Group
Subject
Bronze, casting, engraved and possibly perforated
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
الارتفاع : 18.9 سم ، القطر الأعظمي : 26 سم ، قطر الفوهة : 14.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
BC 1975
Record ID
object;EPM;de;Mus23;3;ar
Library Location
Bumler Group
Date
X-XI century
Notes
This incense burner is another example of a group of very similar incense burners. Within the group two main decorative systems can be identified. This incense burner is an example of one of these two systems, which is linked to the shape of four halves of palm leaves arranged in a circular medallion. It can be compared (among other objects) to two incense burners in the Herat National Museum (HNM 01.15.86, HNM 01.30.86a), one in the Linden Museum and one in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET 1975.314). The object is a lathe-shaped column with a splayed base/foot. It seems possible that this piece was intended to be placed on top of a bowl containing the incense burner, since the base is completely open. The body of the piece can be divided into three different sections. The lower section is solid with engraved decoration that ends just above the base/foot and the middle section consists of an openwork process. In the middle, around the largest diameter, there are circular medallions with four palmettes placed around a central circle. These are framed with ribbons wrapped over each other. At the lower end of the medallions, the design is intersected by a horizontal band that combines the openwork and solid sections, while the upper part of the design is finely chamfered. The upper part is again solid and shows an engraving that appears to be of a special type. It may express well wishes to the owner of the piece. There are small holes in the inscription at regular intervals, and these were later pierced as they pass through the inscription, making it illegible in these areas. Just around the mouth of the incense burner is a band of pearls. The technical analysis of the piece as an incense burner is widely accepted, as the openwork makes it unsuitable for a vase, but it could have been used as a lamp, especially considering the holes in the inscription that could have been used to hang it.
Sample Text
"Incense burner" within Discover Islamic art collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;de;Mus23;3;ar
