Incense burner

Object Details

• Description

  Brass incense burner; cylindrical body covered with semi-dome surmounted by rooster finial, rests on four feet; engraved and pierced with arabesques and calligraphy; traces of copper inlay.

  The rooster finial does not belong to the piece; however, it is an authentic figurine and probably pre-dates the incense burner. The two loops for suspension on its head and neck also suggest a different function. Cylindrical incense burners with identical semi-domes generally have bird-shaped finials (at times peacocks) and rest on three feet; the Freer example has four legs, which is unusual.

  The cylindrical body is divided into four panels, each defined by vertical strips executed in relief and decorated with strapwork. In the center of the panels are medallions; the two in front have floral arabesques while the remaining pair are adorned with geometric motifs. A larger medallion with geometric interlaces evolving from a six-pointed star appears on the base.

  Traces of copper inlay are visible around the two quarter panels of the dome, the base of the finial and in the bands encircling the four medallions on the body.

• Inscriptions

  1. (Esin Atil, 1977) The kufic inscription around the circular openings reads:

  al-yumn v'al-bakarat v'al-surur v'al saadet v'al-salamat.

  "Prosperity (good luck) and blessing and joy (pleasure) and happiness and safety (security)."

  2. (Wheeler Thackston, Harvard University, Summer 1990) Inscription:

  al-yumn wa'l-baraka wa'l-surur wa'l-sa`ada wa'l-salama.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Islamic Metalwork in the Freer Gallery of Art (September 27, 1985 to November 17, 1986)

  A Decade of Discovery: Selected Acquisitions 1970-1980 (November 9, 1979 to May 22, 1980)

  Art of the Near East (August 21, 1977 to December 14, 1979)

• Origin

  Iran

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Vessel

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1200s

• Topic

  Art, Inlay (process), Sculpture, Incense, Arts of the Islamic World, Saljuq period (1037 - 1300), Chasing, Piercing, Metal-work

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Vessels (containers)