Egypt, Fatimid Caliphate, Coptic culture, ca. 11th to third quarter of 12th century CE. A tall incense burner that is cast from leaded-bronze via the lost wax (cire perdue) technique to attach the legs and openwork decorations once the main body had cooled. The spherical vessel rests atop a trio of hooved equine legs, has a trio of vented panels around the circumference, and a strap handle stretching up behind the cylindrical neck. The removable pyramidal lid bears several openwork curvilinear motifs that double as additional ventilation holes and is surmounted by a petite avian finial. Larger incense burners like this example were perhaps meant to fill a commensurately large area with the smell of incense, as opposed to a more petite burner which was meant for personal use. Fine brown and green patina cover the entirety of this magnificent artifact! Size: 8.5" W x 13.1" H (21.6 cm x 33.3 cm)

Provenance: private California, USA collection; ex Malter Galleries, California; ex Gluck Collection purchases in the 1970's

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#156201

Repairs to one leg, handle, and lid, with lid broken off of hinged loop atop handle. Heavy encrustations and abrasions to legs, body, neck, handle, and lid, and softening to some finer details. Nice earthen deposits and great patina throughout.