A Mamluk silver-inlaid spherical brass incense burner, Syria, 15th century

comprised of two hemispherical parts slotted together, beaten, pierced, engraved and inlaid with silver, decorated with bands of alternating circular and oblong cartouches filled respectively with star-form and interlaced motifs set between minor bands with scrolls interrupted by rosettes, the poles decorated with a circular interlace centred on a six-petalled rosette, the silver inlay lightly pricked with S-form scrolls, gimbals and interior fittings missing

silver inlay missing in parts, surface patination with rubbing, interior fittings missing, as viewed
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For a similar example in the British Museum, see Ward 1993, p.115, fig.92, and Auld 2005, p.127, no.1.26. Further examples of this kind are to be found in a number of major public collections, including: the Louvre (inv. no.Oriental MAO), the Walters Art Gallery, Baltimore (inv. no.54.2236A/B), the Museo Civico Medioevale, Bologna (inv, nos.2111, 2116 and 2117), the Musem für Islamische Kunst, Berlin (inv. no.I 8/71), the David Collection, Copenhagen (inv. no.63/1979)the Staatliche Museum für Völkerkunde, München (inv. no.26-N-51) and the Badisches Landesmuseum, Karlsruhe (inv. no.G3298). For a full discussion of the form, function and origin of this group, see Auld 2004, pp.108-140.