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Hand-Held Incense Burner
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Hand-Held Incense Burner
PAKISTAN; circa 6th century; Bronze; L: 43.5 cm; Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, USA
The incense burner is one of the 18 possessions of a Buddhist monk, as well as an offering instrument. This example originates from the kingdom of Gandhara.
The burner is cast in three parts: a bowl, a lid, and a handle. The bowl and lid together form a sphere. The bowl has a flat bottom and is decorated with lotus petals. The lid is adorned with a band of lotus petals and a vine scroll motif. There is a circular knob and a hole for the release of smoke. The rims of the lid and bowl are decorated with cross-hatching. The handle widens towards the end, which is shaped like a crown. On the handle near the bowl, there is the head of a makara, a mythical water creature. |
