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.