A Mamluk silver and gold-inlaid spherical brass incense burner, Syria, 15th Century

of globular form, comprising two hemispheres slotted together, beaten, pierced, engraved and decorated with a black substance, each hemisphere with a knotted kufesque band interspersed with cartouches enclosing quatrefoils contained within minor bands of foliate scrolls, the top and underside with radial design of interlacing scrolls

patination of the surface with losses of inlay and some bumps from wear and tear, the interior censer and gimbals missing, as viewed
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inscriptions

Repetition of possibly: al-'izz 'Glory'

Such incense burners of spherical shape lack suspension loops and probably rested on the floor to diffuse their perfume throughout a room. The present example is inlaid with silver and decorated with scrolling arabesques and geometric motifs.

For a similar example in the British Museum, see Ward 1993, p.115, fig.92, and Auld 2004, 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 Medievale, Bologna (inv, nos.2111, 2116 and 2117), the Museum 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.