Half of an incense burner
Hemispherical half of incense burner of engraved brass inlaid with silver and pierced
Maker
Mamluk, late 15th-early 16th Century (metalworker)
Title
Half of an incense burner
Hemispherical half of incense burner of engraved brass inlaid with silver and pierced
Hemispherical half of incense burner of engraved brass inlaid with silver and pierced
Date of Production
(late 15th to early 16th century) 1475 - 1525
Medium
metalworked brass with silver inlay and later piercing
Dimensions
Diameter: 13.6 cm
Accession Number
O.1966.GP.210
Mode of Acquisition
Gambier Parry, bequest, 1966
Credit
The Courtauld, London (Samuel Courtauld Trust)
Location
On display
Keywords
Label Text
Mamluk incense burners became fashionable accessories of the wealthy in Renaissance Italy: Lorenzo de’ Medici owned three of them. Their prestige was enhanced by the burning of exotic imported aromatics such as aloes wood and ambergris. They were also used on the altars of draughty Northern cathedrals both to perfume the air and to warm the hands of the priests.
The objects in The Courtauld’s collection of Islamic metalwork were made in the Middle East and North Africa between around 1250 and 1500. Such pieces were prized for their superb craftsmanship.
Metalworkers from present-day Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Syria and Turkey perfected the technique of inlaying silver into sheets of hammered and chased (indented) brass. Calligraphic inscriptions, geometric patterns and images of hunters and musicians were popular decorations for these luxury objects.
The objects in The Courtauld’s collection of Islamic metalwork were made in the Middle East and North Africa between around 1250 and 1500. Such pieces were prized for their superb craftsmanship.
Metalworkers from present-day Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Syria and Turkey perfected the technique of inlaying silver into sheets of hammered and chased (indented) brass. Calligraphic inscriptions, geometric patterns and images of hunters and musicians were popular decorations for these luxury objects.
Provenance
Purchased by Thomas Gambier Parry n.d; by descent to Mark Gambier-Parry; Gambier-Parry Bequest 1966
Exhibition History
National Gallery (permanent display during closure), National Gallery, London, 14/09/2018-03/09/2021
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