Brass Incense burner

Incense burner in form of a square, five-domed structure with a jour decorations, resting on four feet with lion mask and feet. A gazelle emanates from the four-edged handle. Major part of bird finial on main dome and eagles on two sides domes lost, in one case also the perch. One eagle loose. Front feet of gazelle missing. Handle broken off and re-attached. Oxidation of bronze edges and of iron hinges prevents opening of incense burner.

Historical period(s)
Abbasid period, 8th-9th century
Medium
Brass
Dimensions
H x W x D: 31.5 x 21.2 x 40.8 cm (12 3/8 x 8 3/8 x 16 1/16 in)
Geography
Egypt
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art
Accession Number
F1952.1
On View Location
Freer Gallery 03: Engaging the Senses
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Vessel
Type

Incense burner

Keywords
Abbasid period (750 - 1258), bird, eagle, Egypt, gazelle, incense, lion
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

Incense burner in form of a square, five-domed structure with a jour decorations, resting on four feet with lion mask and feet. A gazelle emanates from the four-edged handle. Major part of bird finial on main dome and eagles on two sides domes lost, in one case also the perch. One eagle loose. Front feet of gazelle missing. Handle broken off and re-attached. Oxidation of bronze edges and of iron hinges prevents opening of incense burner.

Published References
  • Eva Baer. Metalwork in Medieval Islamic Art. Albany. fig. 32.
  • Dr. Esin Atil. Art of the Arab World. Exh. cat. Washington, 1975. cat. 8, pp. 28-29.
  • Carlo Berardi. The Emperor's Virtues: On the So Called Chiesola di San Marco in Venice. vol. XVIII Florence, Italy, 2019. p. 48, fig. 6.
  • Dr. Esin Atil, W. Thomas Chase, Paul Jett. Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art. Washington, 1985. cat. 2, pp. 58-61.
  • Sheila Blair, Jonathan M. Bloom. Islamic Arts. Art and Ideas London. pp. 117-118, fig. 65.
  • Christie's (London). Islamic Art and Indian Miniatures., October 19, 1993. lot 295, p. 128.
  • Margaret S. Graves. Arts of Allusion: Object, Ornament, and Architecture in Medieval Islam. New York. p. 152, fig. 4.3.
  • October Events at the Smithsonian: Smithsonian Highlights. vol. 16, no. 7 Washington, October 1985. p. 225.
Collection Area(s)
Arts of the Islamic World
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use