Incense Burner in the Form of a Dove

Location: Iran, Khurasan

Materials: quaternary copper alloy, cast with openwork and engraved decoration

Dimensions: 18.5 x 21 x 9cm

Accession Number: MTW 100

Other Notes:

The dove’s plumage is elegantly rendered with a bold medallion of seven roundels at the wing joints and a scale pattern at their tips and on the tail. It has a rectangular opening in its breast for the coal box. The back has a roundel on the head and a panel between the wings, both filled with palmette scrolls, as is the band encircling the base of the neck, which is pierced with holes to allow the smoke to escape.

Bibliography:

J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.101, p.95.