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This item has been added to the Database within the Explore Islamic Art Collections project. Information is available in: English, German, Arabic.

Name of Object:

Spherical incense burner

Location:

Vienna, Austria

Holding Museum:

Kunsthistorisches Museum

About Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

Date of Object:

Hegira 8th century or second half of the 9th century / AD 14th century or 2nd half of the 15th century

Museum Inventory Number:

KK_5797

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Bronze

Dimensions:

Height: 15.2cm

Period / Dynasty:

Mamluk (Egypt or Syria)

Provenance:

Egypt?

Description:

Incense burners shaped like hollow metal spheres were popular throughout the mediaeval Islamic world. The movable spheres contain a contraption to keep the small containers for both charcoal and aromatic in a horizontal position. These spheres were used not only to burn incense but also ambergris and sandalwood. The medallion of this incense burner features an emblem denoting the rank of a scribe at the court of a Mamluk sultan. The elaborate ornamental decoration includes an integrated inscription.

How date and origin were established:

Arthistorical and historical analysis, archival and inventory research

How Object was obtained:

From the Kunstkammer of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm

How provenance was established:

Listed in the AD 1659 inventory of Leopold Wilhelm

Selected bibliography:

Leitner-Böchzelt, Susanne and Pfaffenbichler, Matthias (eds), Die Welt des Orients. Kunst und Kultur des Islam, Leoben: Stadtgemeinde Leoben, 2006.

Citation of this web page:

 "Spherical incense burner" in Explore Islamic Art Collections. Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;at;Mus22;37;en

Copyedited by: Liz Cooper

MWNF Working Number: AT2 37

RELATED CONTENT

 Artistic Introduction

Islamic Dynasties / Period

Mamluks


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Calligraphy Metalwork

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