Mamluk Incense burner

Mamluk (Syria) 13th century (1200 – 1299)

Metalworked brass and silver inlay

This spherical incense burner is decorated with tiny images of the planets (six, including the moon) around the sun.
It was originally fitted with a small bowl set within gimbals. The gimbals kept the burning incense from spilling when the ball was rolled from guest to guest on festive occasions.

Incense burner of pierced and engraved brass inlaid with silver, with images of the planets within roundels, Mamluk, Syria, 13th century, ©The Samuel Courtauld Trust, The Courtauld Gallery, London.