Incense Burner

late 13th–early 14th century

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 453

Damascus was producing luxury‑quality inlaid metalwork by the early thirteenth century. Many of these objects were made by artists trained in the Mosul tradition and share characteristics with Jaziran works, such as the use of the T‑fret background and the Z‑shaped whorl motif. An emphasis on princely imagery, is demonstrated by the formal enthronement scenes depicted here. The inclusion of gold as an inlay material is thought to indicate Damascus manufacture.

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Provenance

References

Title: Incense Burner
Date: late 13th–early 14th century
Geography: Attributed to Syria, Damascus
Medium: Brass; cast with handle made of separately hammered sheet, pierced, inlaid with silver and gold
Dimensions: H. 8 3/8 in. (21.3 cm)
L. 9 1/2 in. (24.1 cm)
Diam. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
Classification: Metal
Credit Line: Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917
Object Number: 17.190.1716
Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali, Bronze; cast, engraved, chased, pierced — Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi
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