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Incense Burner

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

This incense burner was constructed in three parts: a tripod base with claw feet, an upright supporting base, and a cup decorated with openwork rings that support doves. The three parts may not have been made at the same time.

The cup is inscribed with a menorah and three lines of Greek that read:

In fulfillment of a vow of Auxanon:
Blessed are you, O Lord,
Who separates the holy from the profane.


This could be a Greek translation of the Hebrew blessing made at the Havdalah ceremony at the end of the Sabbath.
CULTURES Coptic; Jewish
MEDIUM Bronze
DATES ca. 5th century C.E.
PERIOD Late Antique Period or Byzantine Period
DIMENSIONS 11 1/4 x diam. 5 1/2 in. (28.5 x 14 cm)  (show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS "In fulfillment of the vow of Auxanon" or "on behalf of a vow of Auxanon," according to the Index of Christian Art.
ACCESSION NUMBER 41.684
CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Coptic. Incense Burner, ca. 5th century C.E. Bronze, 11 1/4 x diam. 5 1/2 in. (28.5 x 14 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 41.684. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 41.684_SL3.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 41.684_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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