Publication Date
Ninth-tenth / fifteenth-sixteenth centuries
Publication Place
-
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Museums
Subject
Engraved and tarred copper.
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر: 16 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1902.73.nf
Record ID
object;ISL;uk;Mus04;25;ar
Library Location
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow Museums
Date
Ninth-tenth / fifteenth-sixteenth centuries
Notes
A spherical incense burner composed of two overlapping hemispheres. One contains a mechanical structure consisting of a small, hollow vessel to hold incense and charcoal, suspended at the center of the sphere by two concentric rings. These two rings are connected together in such a way that each of them moves independently of the other, and allows the small vessel containing the incense and charcoal to remain in a horizontal position whether the ball changes position, moves, or rolls; This mechanism is called the 'Kardan in Suspension' method. The outer surface of the ball is decorated with interwoven arabesques and inlaid with tar. Both hemispheres are perforated to allow air and incense to circulate. It is believed that this type of incense burner first appeared in China, where these balls were hung from the ceiling, providing better ventilation and emission of the burning incense. Also, the balls that were made in the beginnings of Islam were hung in the same way. Until it later circulated around the room and was passed from one person to another. As soon as the Europeans discovered their importance as a means of warming hands, Venetian merchants began to order them for the European market, and some were designated to represent the European coat of arms.
Sample Text
Noorah Al-Gailani, Noorah Al-Gailani “Incense burner” in Discover Islamic Art. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;uk;Mus04;25;ar
