Incense Burner
Artist/Maker
Central Highlands/Atlantic Watershed
(Costa Rica)
Dateca. 1000-1550
Mediumpottery and slip paint
DimensionsOverall: 2 x 8 1/2 x 5 in. (5.1 x 21.6 x 12.7 cm)
ClassificationsContainers
Credit LineGift of Seymour Rosenberg
Terms
Object number72.016.008
DescriptionCeramic vessels brought to the Intermediate Area by Maya traders likely influenced this frying pan-shaped incense burner. As the popularity of this form increased, it slowly replaced the more common tripod-style incense burners. A shallow pan is attached to a curving handle with a small animal head decoration. The artists who formed the hollow handle left small balls of clay inside to produce sound when the piece moved. The anthropomorphic appliqué on the handle may give some indication of the ritual importance of this item and, given the absence of burning on the interior, it is likely this object was made in order to be deposited as a tomb or burial offering.On View
Not on viewCollections
mid 18th century