Byzantine bronze incense burner with a chain, 500 A.D

Cast bronze, the outside rim of the bowl incised with two lines pattern, three loops on the rim joined to suspension chains.
The use of censers in Christian worship became widespread after the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. The burning of incense had a central place in Christian ritual and was more important in the eastern than the western liturgy. The censers were hung in various places in the church. The early ones were open receptacles hanging by three chains, which were shaken during ceremonies to stir the coals and spread the incense. Censers have been found in archaeological excavations and depicted in works of art from the period. In the province of Palestina, censers have been found both in churches and synagogues. Most are made of bronze and in the form of a rounded or polygonal bowl. For example, images of donors holding round censers in their right hand are depicted in the mosaic floors of the churches at Umm errasas in Transjordan example of other Censers: Bagatti-1984: 265 – 266, fig. 135 Jericho

Measurements:
Height: 37 cm
Height on stand: 45 cm

Condition: Good condition with beautiful natural patina

Nicely mounted on a plexi-glass “Lucite†display stand on high quality.

Found in Bethlehem south of Jerusalem, Holy Land

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# 73012