Censer
Censers were swung during church services, usually by deacons, releasing
the sweet perfume of the incense that burned on hot coals within the vessel. The medallions on the long chains would have made changing patterns of light and dark as the censer was moved around the altar and over the Gospels and Eucharistic vessels. The large openwork medallion at the top is decorated with a variant of the Christogram, a monogram composed of the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek, chi (X) and rho (P).
the sweet perfume of the incense that burned on hot coals within the vessel. The medallions on the long chains would have made changing patterns of light and dark as the censer was moved around the altar and over the Gospels and Eucharistic vessels. The large openwork medallion at the top is decorated with a variant of the Christogram, a monogram composed of the first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek, chi (X) and rho (P).
Artwork Details
- Title: Censer
- Date: 6th century
- Geography: Made in Possibly Constantinople
- Culture: Byzantine
- Medium: Cast copper alloy
- Dimensions: Overall (including chain): 30 1/2 x 4 5/16 in. (77.5 x 10.9 cm)
Overall (vessel only): 3 1/4 x 4 5/16 in. (8.2 x 10.9 cm) - Classification: Metalwork-Copper alloy
- Credit Line: Gift of Estate of Lawrence J. Majewski, 1999
- Object Number: 1999.519.10
- Curatorial Department: Medieval Art and The Cloisters
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Byzantine
629–630
Byzantine
629–630
Byzantine
629–630
Byzantine
629–630
Byzantine
629–630
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